Our hearts are with the family of Emma Louise Howard, a British mum who has passed away following a brave eight-year battle with cancer.
Emma, who died in a hospice on May 29, was just 34 years old. She leaves four precious children behind.
The devastating news was shared on a fundraising page, where loved ones are seeking to raise money to give Emma 'the send-off she deserves'.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Emma was just 26 years old when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, in July 2009. She underwent a mastectomy, before finally being given the all-clear three years later.
The mum-of-four received lovely news in 2014 - she was expecting her fifth child. However, things took a turn when Emma developed a cough early in her pregnancy; doctors discovered that the cancer had returned and had spread to her lungs.
Tragically, Emma was told that her cancer was terminal. She was informed that, without treatment, she would die; doctors also told her, however, that her unborn baby wouldn't survive the treatment.
Emma was faced with the most heartbreaking dilemma. In the end, she made the harrowing decision to let her baby, Gabriel, go so that she could continue her treatment and try to get more time with her other four children.
Baby Gabriel passed on in December 2014.
Emma spent her remaining time preparing herself and her little ones for the worst, and making the necessary arrangements.
Emma passed away last week. She is survived by her four children: Ellie, 14; Maddison, 10; Faye, six; and Joshua, four.
Delivering the sad news to Emma's JustGiving page, loved one Emma Heyes wrote: "We are so proud of how hard she fought, how courageous she was, and how she even stayed strong until the very end for us. Words can't even begin to explain.
"We held her hands, kissed her forehead, and told her how much we loved and how much we would miss her right until the end.
"Our hearts are broken, and we are left with a big black hole that will never be filled, but we can take comfort in knowing that Emma's suffering is now over. She has gained her wings in heaven and is now with her angel baby, Gabriel."
The family have asked for anyone touched by Emma's story to donate, to help pay for the late mum's funeral.
If you would like to make a donation, simply follow this link.
