BIG-HEARTED football fans have helped to raise more than £36,000 to allow the wife of a St Johnstone player to have crucial breast cancer treatment.
Rachel Borthwick – who is married to Saints' Irish winger Graham Carey – is battling the disease for the fourth time in two years and admits that "time is against me".
The mum-of-two to Jaxon, eight, and Marlowe, six, has been through three different chemotherapy treatments and radiotherapy which haven’t worked.
The situation has become life-threatening and her family are raising funds to allow the 35-year-old from Glasgow to travel overseas for alternative treatment "as soon as possible".
Rachel’s sister, Sarah, has set up a Go Fund me page with the aim of raising £50,000 to meet all of the expected costs – with the total now up at almost £37,000.
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Rachel announced her cancer had returned on a social media post at the weekend – after getting the all-clear last year after initially finding a lump on her breast in September 2021.
As reported by The Courier, she said: “I really cannot believe I’m having to write this again, it’s getting beyond a joke now.
“I found another little lump last week and it was confirmed more cancer on Thursday.
“It’s scary that it’s almost becoming the ‘norm’ for me now.
“Three recurrences in the space of eight months.
“Being told I have cancer four times in just two years is just too much.
“Something’s got to give. I have been biopsied more than most people and now have three little metal clips in me.
“The next steps are still to be decided but my team are keen to not remove it this time and go straight in with more chemo and immunotherapy first.
“I am against this though due to having done so much research in the last two years.
"I am pushing for it to be removed and to do immunotherapy on its own.
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“I have tried three different types of chemo and they haven’t worked.
“All they’ve done is poison my body hence why my family set up the GoFundMe to do alternative treatment overseas.
"I will hopefully have a plan in place next week.
"There are no words to explain how I feel right now but I somehow manage to keep a brave face on.
“I am not telling the kids this time, as the last reaction was too painful.
“I need to raise the money as soon as possible. Time is against me."
Sarah added: “Any help, little or large, would be greatly appreciated.
“Rachel has two young kids aged 6 and 8 and feels she now needs to do everything in her power to ensure she is here for them and to watch them grow.
“We have decided to raise the total target as we did not expect such a high number of donations in such a short period.
“The reason for this is that some of this treatment will be life-long for Rachel and involves huge dietary and lifestyle changes.
“It could also fund possible travel requirements for future treatment.
“I would just like to thank every single person who has shared, donated and offered help in every other way.
“This means the world to Rachel, her kids and all of our family.”
St Johnstone have thrown their weight fully behind the campaign and say they have been inspired by Rachel’s courage.
They wrote: “Everyone at St Johnstone would like to express their wholehearted support for Graham's wife who is currently undergoing treatment.
“It takes immense strength and courage to face such challenges, and we are truly inspired by her resilience.
“As a club, we stand with them every step of the way, offering our unwavering support, encouragement, and understanding.
“Our thoughts and best wishes are with Graham and his family at this time.”
Football fans have flocked to offer their financial and emotional support.
One Saints fan wrote: “Although I have no link to Rachel personally any help for someone in this situation may have positive results.
“Her husband gave me more pleasure than enough (so this is) a small gesture to help.
“My thoughts and best wishes are with Rachel and the family.”
And a supporter of Plymouth – one of Carey’s former clubs – also pledged their backing.
They wrote: “I've followed Rach on Instagram ever since G came to Argyle.
“She is such a great mum and a wonderful person who puts her family at the heart of everything in life.”
Anyone wishing to donate can do so HERE.
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