Mum And Daughter Beat Cancer On The Same Day

In a bizarre and unhappy twist of fate, both mother and daughter found out they had cancer, but they've beaten it together, on the same day!

Ruby Connar was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2011 when she was just eight years. Ruby and her mum realised just in time that something was wrong - the doctors told her mum that if the cancer had been undiagnosed for a few weeks longer, it would have been too late. As if they weren't having a bad enough time of it, a few years later, in 2013, when Ruby was undergoing chemotherapy, her mum Josie found a lump in her breast which, it transpired, was breast cancer.

The mother and daughter sometimes had chemo on the same days in the same hospital. And, strangely enough, on the day that Ruby had her last chemo session, Josie had a double mastectomy.

They have both been given the all clear.

A younger Ruby and Josie. Credit: SWNS

Josie, from Exeter, said: "On 15 January 2014 I had my double mastectomy and Ruby had her last day of any chemo.

"We both had our final treatment on the same day - which is a bizarre coincidence.

"We both feel like we have beaten cancer - and we have done it together."

"It was a cruel twist of fate. It has been horrific at times but it is a unique bond we share and as a family we are closer than ever.

"We celebrate every day and appreciate everything that we have. But we enjoy life together so much more now. I feel very lucky."

Josie, Ruby and Jack, Ruby's brother. Credit: SWNS

Having cancer has created an unwavering bond between the two and now the pair have another battle to face. Ruby and Josie want CLIC Sargent to become the supermarket Morrison's charity. CLIC Sargent helps families with cancer and if Morrison's chooses it for a 2017 partnership it could raise an additional £7 million.

Credit: SWNS

It's a very personal campaign for the two as it's the charity that helped them through the rough years of chemo. "The support we got from CLIC Sargent was phenomenal," said Josie, "...and no family should have to go without that support when they need it most."

Hear, hear.

Topics: Cancer

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday