Naomi, 29, wants to help other sufferers as she makes the most of every day

A YOUNG mum from Sidmouth with incurable cancer wants to help other sufferers as she makes the most of every day.

Naomi Thomas, 29, hoped she’d beaten the disease ,only for doctors to discover it had spread to her spine just days after the birth of her son.

“I got on this roller coaster back in 2009 and I don’t think I’ll ever get off of it,” she told the Herald this week.

Brave Sidmothian Naomi, whose family home is in Manstone Avenue, has organised a charity event in January to boost a trio of cancer causes that have aided her.

She hopes her home town can help make the ‘Pink Ladies’ Day’ a yearly fixture – even in the tragic case that she is no longer around.

“I have a stage four cancer, there is no stage five. I will die from this at some point,” said Naomi, who wants her story to help raise cancer awareness.

“I don’t know how long I have. It could be six months or ten years. Time is precious and every minute counts.”

Naomi was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2009. She underwent an operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and the treatment appeared to have worked.

Naomi and fianc�e Graham were delighted when she fell pregnant months later and baby Devon arrived in September 2010.

“As far as I was concerned everything was perfect,” said Naomi.

But days after Devon was delivered she became seriously ill with MRSA and was rushed to hospital. Further tests revealed the cancer had spread to her spine. It transpired Naomi’s back was broken in three places during her pregnancy.

She underwent more treatment, but surgeons have opted not to operate on the tumour.

“You forget it’s happening to you,” said Naomi. “All I know is I won’t survive this and I just enjoy every day as it comes. I’ve come to terms with it. It’s the people you leave behind I feel for.

“I’m a young person with no history of breast cancer in my family. It just shows it can happen to anybody.”

Naomi has organised a fundraiser at Kennaway House on Sunday, January 15, to raise money for Force, CoppaFeel, and the Willow Foundation.

“I’d love it to be a yearly thing and carried on by my family even if I wasn’t here,” said Naomi.

“If anyone can give their time on the day, or donate raffle prizes, I would appreciate any help. I’ve had so much support already.”

Naomi’s partner, Graham, 32, said of his fianc�e: “She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met, is driven, makes the most of every day, and always tries to help others rather than herself.”

l IF you’d like to help Naomi with the event, or donate a raffle prize, contact the Herald on (01392) 888501, or e-mail stefan.gordon@archant.co.uk.