FRIENDS of a devoted mother-of-three in Cornwall have launched a £195,000 appeal to help her fight a rare cancer and to support her young family. 

Emily Nicholson, 34, is preparing for complex surgery after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer. The tumour is located at the base of her skull, close to her brainstem.  

The former teacher, her fiance Mark Lomax and their three boys aged six, four and 21 months, are facing an uncertain future.  

Melissa Marquis, a close friend helping to organise the fundraising appeal, said: “Em has always been so full of life, with an infectious energy and enthusiasm that lifts everyone around her. She embraces every moment wholeheartedly, with so much love, laughter and a wonderful sense of adventure.  

“It’s heartbreaking to see someone so vibrant, with three little boys who adore her, facing something so devastating. They should be looking forward to all the adventures and milestones ahead of them, not this unimaginable uncertainty.  

Emily and Mark have three young children.
Emily and Mark have three young children. (Picture: Submitted)

“We’re doing everything we can to take away some of the worry so Em and Mark can focus on her treatment and being together as a family.”  

Melissa said that with Emily becoming increasingly unwell, Mark has had to step away from work to care for her and the children, and the family is now facing financial uncertainty alongside the reality of Emily’s diagnosis.  

Following surgery, Emily, who lives in the St Austell area, is expected to require further specialist treatment and potentially extensive rehabilitation. Because of the rarity of the cancer, her family is exploring specialist medical opinions and potential treatment opportunities overseas.  

Friends and family have launched the £195,000 appeal at https://gofund.me/ad5752448  

The family has links with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community across the UK and two fundraising open mat events have been organised in Newquay and Falmouth for November.