Tributes have been paid to a courageous mother who delivered her son six months into her pregnancy, then died three days later from cancer.
Danielle Janofsky, from New Jersey in the States, was initially diagnosed with melanoma in May 2015. A mole was removed from her shoulder, and doctors had high hopes for her full recovery.
She and her husband, who are also parents to four-year-old daughter Avery, were delighted when they fell pregnant with their son. However, matters took a tragic twist this February.
Danielle entered hospital on February 8, complaining of abdominal pains. At six months pregnant, doctors informed Danielle that the cancer had spread to her kidney, liver, stomach and brain.
The dedicated mother held out on delivering her son for as long as possible, in an effort to ensure he had the best chance possible to develop and grow. On February 24, doctors decided that the time was right, and baby Jake entered the world via C-section, weighing 1lb 11oz.
Sadly, Danielle passed away just three days later. She was just 30 years of age. Jake, meanwhile, is currently in neonatal intensive care being treated for chronic lung disease.
Danielle has been described as a ‘devoted mother, loving wife, much-loved sister, beloved daughter and cherished daughter-in-law’.
A fundraising page has since been set up for the family, to pay for Jake’s treatment and to create a benefits fund for both him and his big sister, Avery.
“Funds will be used to ensure the best medical care for Jake, and additional funds will be used for education purposes for the children,” family friend Olivia Roberts wrote on the Go Fund Me page.
Needless to say, Danielle’s story has touched hearts all over the world, with kind members of the local community and beyond giving generously to the fund. Indeed, so far, over $80,000 has been raised for the Janofsky family.
