A mother of two is facing what could be her final Christmas after a lump she attributed to breastfeeding turned out to be terminal cancer. Angel Madu, 39, an A&E nurse from Kings Langley, initially dismissed chest discomfort in December 2022 as nursing pain or stress, but a GP referral led to a stage two breast cancer diagnosis.
Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the disease spread to her liver, lungs, bones, and lymph nodes by 2024, advancing to stage four. This month, she was told no further NHS treatments are available, with doctors giving her days to weeks to live.
Madu has booked flights to Mexico for December 23 to pursue specialist therapy costing £75,000. A fundraising campaign launched by her church has raised over £30,000, but the full sum must be paid before treatment begins. She and her husband, Henry Okoye, will leave their children, aged four and eight, with relatives in hopes of extending her life.
“I’m trying to be positive and focus on the hope,” Madu said. “Every day is a blessing. I’m not giving up on the fight.” Friend Gemma Gardener, who set up the fundraiser, described Madu as a selfless frontline Covid-19 nurse who now needs the world’s help.
