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Adelaide business bosses, twins Dylan and Jake Pinksterboer raise funds to bring mum Silvia Signore to Germany for treatment

Silvia Signore was a vegan, dietitian and fitness instructor who never drank or smoke. After a shock diagnosis, her life now hangs in the hands of international doctors - and her beloved twin boys.

Identical twin brothers and entrepreneurs Dylan and Jake Pinksterboer have raised funds in a last-ditch effort to help their mother who was suddenly diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“The day to day of not knowing whether she’s going to live or die, that’s just been massive,” 27-year-old Jake Pinksterboer said.

Silvia Signore has been diagnosed with stage four cancer with her twin sons Dylan, left and Jake Pinksterboer. Picture: Supplied
Silvia Signore has been diagnosed with stage four cancer with her twin sons Dylan, left and Jake Pinksterboer. Picture: Supplied

This week, the men’s mother, Silvia Signore, 52, went to Germany with her son Dylan Pinksterboer to undergo intensive targeted chemotherapy.

The specialised treatment is one of her final options after her colorectal cancer returned and spread to her pelvis and reproductive organs earlier this year.

Silvia Signore has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and has gone to Germany for treatment. Pictured with her grand daughter Sofia 3yo. Picture: Supplied
Silvia Signore has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and has gone to Germany for treatment. Pictured with her grand daughter Sofia 3yo. Picture: Supplied

Jake said because of the specific type of cancer his mum has, a lot of treatment options available in Australia, such as immunotherapy, were inadequate.

“Every situation is so different and that’s a massive part of the problem, nothing is straightforward,” he said.

“A lot of stuff was taken off the table.”

They said it will cost them around $120,000 including the treatment, accommodation and flights for four weeks.

In May 2024, Ms Signore was diagnosed with stage three c colorectal cancer after finding blood in her stool.

“She’s been healthy all of her life,” Jake, who is the managing director of Twin Social with his brother, said.

Dylan said his mum is a vegan, dietitian and fitness instructor, who never drank, smoked or did drugs.

But doctors found a four centimetre tumour in her colon and tumour deposits in the fat surrounding her bowel, following a colonoscopy and further tests.

Silvia Signore underwent major surgery to resect her bowel and remove as much cancer as possible. Picture: Supplied
Silvia Signore underwent major surgery to resect her bowel and remove as much cancer as possible. Picture: Supplied

Ms Signore underwent major surgery to resect her bowel and remove as much cancer as possible.

Then she underwent chemotherapy.

“On the second round of chemo, she had a sort of spasm … she had heart damage and was in hospital for five days,” Dylan said.

“We had to stop all treatment, but surprisingly all the markers went down.”

Heartbreakingly, a few months later, Ms Signore’s markers rose and the doctors discovered the cancer had not only returned, but it had spread, making the cancer stage four.

Ms Signore was forced to undergo further surgery — a full hysterectomy. But cancer was still present.

“It’s very emotionally traumatic,” Dylan said.

“Her whole life has been consumed by it.

“We are a very tight-knit family and we do whatever we can for each other, we would do anything for our mum, we love our mum and she’s so young.”

Jake said him and his brother hearing their mum’s diagnosis was “the worst news (they’ve) ever received”. Picture: Supplied
Jake said him and his brother hearing their mum’s diagnosis was “the worst news (they’ve) ever received”. Picture: Supplied
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Jake said him and his brother hearing their mum’s diagnosis was “the worst news (they’ve) ever received”.

“Life has 100 per cent changed,” Jake said.

“Everything has felt really reactive … it’s brought us to a mental stress I don’t think we’ve reached before, because we’re very good at finding solutions, but obviously with cancer, every time you think there is a solution … you’ve got to pivot.”

If you’d like to donate to Ms Signore, you can here.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/adelaide-business-bosses-twins-dylan-and-jake-pinksterboer-raise-funds-to-bring-mum-silvia-signore-to-germany-for-treatment/news-story/0b1057c32d750f226d1f1f3d2b104f01