AN ALLOA mother, who discovered she has a potentially deadly disease when she was expecting her sixth child, is now raising funds for cancer research.

Donna Freck, 32, was lucky her ovarian cancer was discovered early at stage one and is now planning to brave the shave to help others beat the disease.

She said: “I was 20-weeks pregnant when everything started happening. They [the doctors] were monitoring things, weren't sure exactly what it was and I had to have my son at 32 weeks.”

Donna had an immature teratoma, a rare type of cancer that usually affects young women, and while the tumour has been removed, she started chemotherapy this week as a precaution.

She considers herself lucky, explaining: “They basically said, if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't know about it for another eight years or so.”

Her son Leland is still in Forth Valley Royal Hospital while she needs to attend treatment in Glasgow.

Last week she said: “He is doing well, I'd just be glad if we could get him home and get into a routine, but I don't know how long that's going to take.

“I'm going to be starting my chemo next week as well, juggling two hospitals and kids.”

She has now decided to be braver and become a shaver to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, saying: “I know my hair is going to be falling out anyway with the chemotherapy, but I didn't want my children seeing it coming out in clumps.

“So I thought I'll just shave it all off and raise some money for research for ovarian cancer. My mum actually braved the shave in November last year and I got my diagnosis two months exactly after she did it.”

Donna, husband Jason and their family as well as friends are organising the fundraising night for next month. It will be at The Ochil View, formerly Fishcross Club, on March 10 and tickets need to be purchased in advance so the hosts know the exact numbers.

There will be face painting, a raffle and some have also been nominated to get their legs waxed.

Entertainment will be provided by local band Alpine Road, who are offering their classic rock and pop grooves for free. The venue was also kindly offered at no charge.

Encouraging people to head along, Donna said: “It's a rare cancer which I have – can usually be found in women in their early 20s.

“There's not a lot of research on it, not a lot of information on the internet either.

“Come along, help raise some funds so we can get more research done for women.

“The chemotherapy I'm going through, there's not a lot of research on how it affects women – the chemotherapy BEP, which I'm getting, is actually used for men's testicular cancer.”

Donna is also encouraging every woman to do their cervical screening tests, adding: “I was up to date with my smears, I actually got tested in in 2015 for cervical and ovarian cancer and got the all clear.

“Then literally a year-and-a-half later, I found out that I had ovarian cancer, so it just shows how quickly it can come around.

“If you have any problems, symptoms of anything, just get it checked out.”

Tickets to Donna's fundraiser are £3 for adults and £1 for kids. Get in touch with her on 07453 885 867 or email donnalmcghee2013@hotmail.co.uk to book one.