2 days ago
Sami is a super fit and healthy mum - but at 36 she's facing a devastating diagnosis no one ever saw coming
Sami Mahoney seemed to have the world at her feet.
But the super-fit and healthy mum-of-two was given the worst news imaginable, turning her seemingly normal life upside down.
The 36-year-old fitness trainer from Byron Bay was diagnosed with stage four cancer earlier this month after it had unexpectedly spread to her liver - leaving her family, friends, and colleagues devastated.
'If you know Sami, you know she's pure fire - strong, vibrant, magnetic and full of purpose. She lights up every room, lifts others and moves through life with heart, power and unwavering spirit,' her sister Ellé said in her GoFundMe page.
'Last week, Sami was hit with news no one ever expects. Her diagnosis of stage four cancer has travelled to her liver. It's aggressive. It's big and needs to be fast-tracked considering the stage and location.
'This is not just a fight for her life. This is a journey back to full health, back to the vibrant, powerful woman we all know and love. And she's not doing it alone.'
The fundraising page was only set up five days ago - but generous loved ones and strangers have rallied behind Sami, raising more than $190,000 to help cover the cost of her medical bills, urgent treatments, and cancer therapies.
Sami - who runs two fitness studios alongside her sister Ellé - was over the moon with the overwhelming support, sharing an update on her journey after undergoing her first round of chemotherapy.
'I'm leaning on medical world right now as I have no time to waste considering the size and location but will throw everything at all healing modalities,' Sami said on August 11.
'Coming from a place of creating nothing but a magnitude of miracles! I honour where I am, beyond the shock it's now all healing and repair.
'I have too much to live for and too much to still do. If I defied all odds to even be in this position, then I'm going to defy all other odds to defeat this.'
Sami, a doting mum to a young son and daughter, thanked everyone for their unwavering love, kind messages and generosity.
'Everyone's support has already been so powerfully felt. THANK YOU beyond words and with my whole heart, thank you,' Sami said.
'All I ask is we keep talking to the moon and visualise eradicating and shrinking what no longer serves me.
'I'll take you on the journey best I can towards "Sami's comeback tour 2.0" to help others defeat, deal and heal from cancer.
'It's only the beginning - but I'm ready.'
Her sister Ellé has been openly advocating on Sami's behalf to help raise the funds she needs to get through the biggest challenge of her life.
The two sisters are the co-owners of two popular fitness businesses in Byron Bay - the personal training studio Peachy Fit and the Pilates/gym centre STRONG.
'Sami has given her life to helping others feel strong, fit and confident through her work as founder of Peachy Fit and STRONG Pilates,' Ellé said.
'Now it's our turn to rally around her. To fuel her with the love, support and resources she needs to access the best healing - both medical and holistic - from around the world.
'We're raising funds to help cover urgent integrative treatments, cancer therapies, living and recovery costs, time away from work to rest and heal.
'Sami is ready to fight with everything she's got - and she's doing it with grace and grit. Every dollar, every positive affirmation, every share counts.'
Ellé added: 'Let's back her like she's backed all of us. Let's rise with Sami and her incredible little family. Let's believe in the impossible - because that's who she is.'
