Dying mum is ‘happier than ever’ with her family

The story

Not many of us can say we have done everything we want to in life.

Kate Geraghty tells me she has, though.

She dreamed of being a teacher when she was a little girl. She had a desire to travel and live in different countries. Then she hoped to meet someone right for her, settle down close to home and have a baby.

By the end of last year, after little Ivy came along as a perfect gift seven days before Christmas, she had done all of that.

But now, in a cruel and crushing blow, Kate has been given a time limit to relish her new family.

Kate has terminal cancer. The tumour is located at the base of her skull, and it has spread.

Click here to read the full story.

How I got the story

In December 2017, Kate found a lump in the side of her face, right before giving birth to her baby girl.

It turned out to be cancer, which late was diagnosed as inoperable and therefore terminal. Due to this, family began to fund raise, with a target of £100,000, for her to have treatment to extend her life.

Her partner Paul played football with some friends of mine. I knew him briefly, but his best friend was a close friend of mine and a former colleague. Because of this connection, the family welcomed me into their home to interview them, just days after the terminal diagnosis.

It was one of the hardest but probably most worthwhile interviews I’ve ever conducted. Kate was tired, ill, and coming to terms with news nobody should deal with. Paul was distraught too, and multiple obviously upset family members were also present.

I had to conduct the interview with tact and care, while also asking the difficult questions to write the story properly.

Afterwards, I compiled two pieces, one from Kate’s perspective and another from Paul’s.

Due to my connection and the trust they invested in me, I focused heavily on getting the tone and every detail right.

The family has thanked me since, while the fundraising campaign has hit its goal. I’m still in touch, and am following their story with pieces when I can to support them.

View this document on Scribd