Daughter's Heartfelt Mission to Help Mother Regain Smile After Cancer
Alycia Davies, a 29-year-old mindfulness teacher from Adamstown Heights, is organizing a special fundraiser to help her mother Tanya Davies regain her ability to smile and eat after a devastating battle with mouth cancer.
The Cancer Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In 2020, Tanya Davies, now 50, received a life-altering diagnosis of mouth cancer. The Iluka resident underwent eight grueling months of chemotherapy and received the maximum lifetime dose of radiation treatment. Doctors initially gave her a prognosis of just two years to live, but Tanya's remarkable positive mindset has helped her defy those odds.
"In 2020, my mum was diagnosed with mouth cancer," Alycia explained. "She underwent eight months of chemotherapy and received the maximum amount of radiation a person can have in a lifetime. She was told she would only have two years maximum to live."
The Physical Toll of Treatment
The intensive radiation treatment severely deteriorated Tanya's jawbone, gums, and teeth. After years of enduring constant pain, she recently had to have all her bottom teeth and most of her top teeth removed.
"For as long as I can remember, Mum hasn't been able to eat solid food," Alycia revealed. "She has to feed herself liquid nutrition through a tube attached to her stomach. On top of that, losing part of her tongue affected her speech. The deterioration in her jaw left it fragile and weak. Her energy levels are low and movement is limited."
The 'Move For Mum' Fundraiser
Alycia has organized a special event called "Move For Mum" to raise approximately $30,000 needed for a maxillofacial specialist to perform a bone graft and implant procedure. This crucial surgery would allow for two gum implants to be inserted so dentures can stay in place, potentially restoring Tanya's ability to eat normally.
The fundraiser will take place at Newcastle beach from 6:30am to 8:30am on Sunday and will feature:
- Pilates sessions
- Energetic breathwork exercises
- Ice baths
- Live DJ entertainment
- $5,000 worth of raffle prizes
A GoFundMe campaign titled "Help Mum Smile & Eat Again After Surviving Mouth Cancer" has already raised $10,000 toward the $30,000 goal.
The Emotional Impact on Family
Alycia described the emotional toll of watching her mother battle cancer: "It's almost like I mourned the loss of the mum I once had. She looked different and her energy levels were different because of the impact on her mental health. You go through a constant mourning process, especially when I was told six years ago she wouldn't be here for long."
She emphasized that the effect of cancer on family and friends is often overlooked: "You don't ever want to take anything for granted. You always think, is this the last Christmas or birthday? And do I need to rush along my life plans to make sure Mum is present for it?"
Tanya's Unique Approach to Cancer
Before her illness, Tanya was "a huge foodie" who particularly loved Mexican cuisine. Alycia reflected on how her mother's condition changed her perspective: "I always thought we lacked culture in Australia. I couldn't think of traditions we had that were super-special. Then mum lost the ability to eat and I realised food is literally how everybody connects."
Tanya has maintained a remarkably strong mindset throughout her ordeal. "She doesn't ever want people feeling sorry for her," Alycia noted. "From the beginning, she had a unique approach. You can decide as a cancer patient how much information you want to receive."
Tanya chose not to know details about her cancer, including its stage. When she reached the two-year prognosis doctors had given her, she declared: "As far as I'm concerned, I get to make up my own fate."
The "Move For Mum" event represents not just a fundraiser, but a community coming together to support a woman who has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of a devastating illness, and a daughter determined to help her mother reclaim the simple joys of smiling and eating.
