Mum, 29, battles cancer while supporting her seven children

A Mt Annan family has thanked the community for its support after an outpouring of goodwill helped raise thousands of dollars for the couple and their seven children.

Metin Salih and Alisha Harrison with their seven children. Picture: Carmela Roche

• ‘Shattered’ Huggies’ workers demand closure be reversed
• Ingleburn height limit set to be raised

A Mt Annan family has thanked the community for its support after an outpouring of goodwill helped raise thousands of dollars for the couple and their seven children.

Mum Alisha Harrison, 29, was diagnosed with an aggressive stage three breast cancer in December last year while pregnant with her son Isaac.

The news came after a series of complications with the pregnancy had already put Isaac’s life in doubt.

Alisha and her partner Metin have a blended family, with three children from either side and Isaac the first they have conceived together.

A GoFundMe page set up by a family friend has raised thousands of dollars to support Ms Harrison’s dreams of a family holiday and wedding to her devoted partner.

Alisha Harrison with partner Metin Salih seven-week-old baby Isaac at their Mt Annan home. Picture: Carmela Roche

She first noticed something was wrong when her nipple looked like it had become infected and she felt pain in one of her breasts about 18 months ago.

In July last year she discovered a lump and went to a doctor where she was prescribed antibiotics for a cist.

Ms Harrison made repeated visits to the doctor with concerns about the lump but after it was decided she was to have a biopsy, she found out she was pregnant.

After numerous visits to specialists, Ms Harrison was told she had breast cancer on December 21 last year.

She underwent a mastectomy before it was decided Isaac’s birth had to be brought forward to allow Ms Harrison to undergo chemotherapy treatment.

Isaac has been happy and healthy since he was born. Picture: Carmela Roche

“After the caesarean I had to have time to heal before starting the chemotherapy,” she said.

“In that time I was able to breastfeed Isaac off the one breast which was amazing.”

A CAT scan before the chemotherapy revealed a series of spots on Ms Harrison’s liver which meant the cancer had become metastatic cancer.

Doctors told Ms Harrison she now has between a year and six years to live.

Since finding out the news Ms Harrison put together a small bucket list of family-related activities which she hopes to share with her children, all under-11, including having them as the bridal party when she gets married to Metin.

“We always had to make the choice between having a wedding or using the money as a deposit for our home and we made the decision to give the kids stability and a roof over the head,” she said.

“The way we wanted to get married was to go overseas and make it a family trip so the kids could also have their first trip.

The close-knit family have been through a lot.

“We wanted to have them as our bridal party... it was always a conversation with the kids that we would do it in five to 10 years when they’re teenagers and we have more money.

“Once this happened we realised those five to 10 years might not come... I know I probably won’t be around for some of the big events so I want to give them those family memories that everyone should have.”

Other items on the list include taking the children horse riding, swimming with big turtles and driving the Great Ocean Rd before visiting the hot springs with Metin.

Ms Harrison also wants to compete in a figure competition, which was a passion of hers prior to falling ill.

She has not yet told the children of her terminal diagnosis but said the couple had been preparing the children to deal with the news.

“It’s been all about keeping the routine with the children,” she said.

The children meet baby Isaac.

“We still do the same things each day and we’ve worked the chemo treatments into that routine.

“We’ve been in contact with the other parents so that they are prepared to talk about it with the kids and can answer their questions.”

A family friend has created a GoFundMe page to help the family fulfill Ms Harrison’s bucket list.

So far the page has raised $47,000.

Ms Harrison said she had been overwhelmed by the support from people.

“I just wanted to say a big thank you to everybody,” she said.

To donate to the family visit: gofuneme.com