Young Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis Amidst Newborn Arrival: A Journey of Resilience and Community Support
LOCAL woman Steph Jones donated her hair to charity ahead of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
Mrs Jones was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024, after she raised concerns for a lump discovered on her body, originally believed to be pregnancy-related, and after giving birth to her son, Oscar.
Mrs Jones said that during the week she was due to give birth, she underwent a series of medical examinations including an ultrasound on Tuesday, a biopsy on Wednesday and by Thursday morning she received the diagnosis.
“My GP rang us at 10:30 in the morning to inform us that it was cancer, but she didn’t have any further details,” she said.
Despite the news, Mrs Jones said she wanted to stay focused on the birth of Oscar and the special day for her family.
“Since then, we’ve reached a new ‘normal’ if you can say that, and there is more routine given everything that I have to have done for the cancer,” she said.
“Those first few weeks were extremely busy but now it’s a matter of following the treatment plan with the oncologist.”
In an effort to support them on the journey, family-friend Courtney de Bruyn set up a Go Fund Me page, which has in a matter of week raised almost $30,000.
Mrs Jones said she was very thankful for the support from the community and whilst it was a bit overwhelming, it was appreciated.
“I am a paramedic and we, my husband and I, had budgeted for me to be on maternity leave after having Oscar,” she said.
“I am so thankful for the support from the community, and especially from Courtney, friends and family.
“I have a tight circle of support around me during this time.”
At the start of June, Mrs Jones made the decision to give her hair the chop, and donate it to Sustainable Salons for wig-making.
She was surrounded by loved ones for the chop and said she didn’t see the point of wasting the hair or just letting it fall down the drain.
“I know that my doing it, others can benefit from my situation,” she said.
Mrs Jones said she urges everyone to check themselves for abnormal lumps.
“I have no family history of breast cancer, and no reason to believe I had it,” she said.
Donations can be made to the Jones family via the Go Fund Me page.
