'I want to be there for my children': Langford mum fundraising for lifesaving cancer treatment
A brave mum from Langford who is battling an aggressive cancer says people’s kindness has ‘put her faith back in the world’ as she raises cash for lifesaving treatment abroad.
Gemma Sims, 34, has been overwhelmed by people's kindness after her best friend, Charlotte Giudici, set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs.
So far, it has raised more than £26,000.
Seizing the opportunity, the former train driver will soon fly to Germany to trial a potential cure in the hopes of seeing her children "to adulthood".
Gemma told the Chronicle: "Charlotte set up the fundraising page and it's going through the roof, it's incredible. I've been crying because of everyone's kindness, watching the total go up.
"There are more treatment plans the NHS could go down, but I've got two young children, and I need to do something else. I'm up against triple negative breast cancer - the fastest growing one.
"This means everything to me, and puts my faith back into the world."
Before her diagnosis, Gemma had enjoyed a busy family life, juggling work as a train driver with raising a young family.
But her world changed in December 2024 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Gemma explained: "On my 33rd birthday, I had a doctor's appointment because I had an aching armpit. It was one of my symptoms when it was that time of the month, but it went on for too long and went round the side of my boob.
"I went to the doctor's to be on the safe side and for peace of mind."
The doctors said Gemma had a lump in her breast that wasn't anything serious, but after just two weeks she noticed another one.
After tests, the doctors confirmed her fears – and Gemma had treatment and two surgeries to remove cancer from her breast and lymph nodes.
Gemma said: "I'd got two young children so I just had to crack on and get on with it. I started the chemo at the end of January 2025 and did six months. Luckily, there weren't too many side effects, just fatigue."
Gemma was then due for radiotherapy last October for a "belt and braces" approach – to make sure the cancer was gone – but plans were interrupted when she found a lump in her neck.
The brave mum then had further treatment – but to no avail.
Gemma said: "A scan found that it had spread to my neck and my lungs. It was very disappointing – and it's now spread back to my breast."
Ever determined, Gemma and her family found an opportunity to have PACE treatment in Frankfurt, Germany.
"They will inject medicine into the tumour. It's a high concentrated treatment and the side effects will be less," she explained.
The fundraiser currently stands at £26,402 and has a goal of £30,000.
Gemma concluded: "I would like to say a massive thank you from me and my family, because it means so much to us, and I want to thank Charlotte for taking the time to set it up.
"This could allow me to be there for my children."