A mother with terminal cancer has written a heart-wrenching letter to her two young boys for when they grow up – but one of them may never live long enough to read it.
Melbourne mother-of-two Sarah Chivers, 34, was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in March, eight years after bravely beating the deadly disease.
But as she underwent surgery to shrink one of three aggressive tumours growing on her brain, the health of her 18-month-old son Alfie rapidly started deteriorating.
When he lost mobility in one side of his body and started shaking, she rushed him to hospital, where a scan revealed the unthinkable: her baby boy had brain cancer too.
Ms Chivers is now doing everything she can to save Alfie’s life and create as many memories with her family as she can before her time runs out.
Heartbreaking: Sarah Chivers and her 18-month-old son Alfie have both been diagnosed with brain cancer
The inspirational mother, who has terminal cancer, has written a heart-wrenching letter to Alfie, his older brother Hugh (right) and her loving husband Leigh
In the moving letter supplied to the New Daily, Sara explains to Alfie and his older brother Hugh, three, what kind of woman she is and her hope for their futures.
‘I won’t be around to see you grow up. It’s a hard thing to say and even harder to face,’ her letter begins.
‘I know your Dad, and our village of family and friends, will keep me alive for you as much as they can, but there are some things I want you to hear from me.’
Sara goes on to explain that her favourite perfume is Michael Kors, favourite meal is spaghetti bolognese and favourite season is winter.
‘Don’t be afraid of expressing your emotions. I will never tire of hearing ‘I love you’ from Leigh, you boys, my family, friends,’ she continues.
‘Pay attention to study but know there is so much more to school life than textbooks. Play team sports. Try a musical instrument. Learn a language.’
Sara is doing everything she can to save Alfie’s life and create as many memories with her family as she can
‘I won’t be around to see you grow up. It’s a hard thing to say and even harder to face’: Sara writes in her powerful letter
Alfie (pictured with Sara) was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after Sara found out the cancer she had beaten eight years ago had returned
Sara then challenges her boys to ‘love hard’, be brave in their convictions and always fall back on their family when the going gets tough.
‘Be kind to your Dad. It won’t be easy for him raising you alone, but every decision he makes will be with your best interests at heart,’ Sara writes.
‘He is an exceptional father and role model. Don’t let him doubt himself or the wonderful job he will do shaping you into the men I dream of you growing up to be.
‘There will come a time when he wants to find happiness again with a new partner. Accept and embrace his choice, and know she will be a positive female influence in your lives too.
‘I have absolute faith that he will make the right decision, for him and you both, and I hope she enriches your lives as much as you’ve all enriched mine.’
Her emotional letter finishes with a few words to her loving husband Leigh, reading: ‘He is my companion, my rock, my everything. It was always him. Always will be.’
‘He is my companion, my rock, my everything. It was always him. Always will be,’ Sara writes in the letter, describing her husband Leigh (pictured)
‘I won’t let him become a statistic’: Sara (centre) is fighting to save the life of her sick son Alfie
While Sara’s chances for survival are slim, she is desperately fighting to save the life of Alfie, declaring: ‘I won’t let him become a statistic.’
‘It’s just devastation and a lot of grief,’ Sara told ABC’s 7.30. ‘But also wanting to make the most of the time that we have.’
Sara has undergone surgery on the largest tumour, which has helped with her mobility and will improve her quality of life as she fights for Alfie.
The resilient toddler has had three separate surgeries to remove the fluid from his brain and give him a fighting chance at beating the devastating disease.
Survival rates for brain cancer have not improved in the last three decades.
Sara’s sister Stephanie has set up a fundraising page for those hoping to help with the Chivers family’s costly battle against cancer.
For those wanting to financially support brain cancer research in Australia, Sara recommends donating to Cure Brain Cancer or Carries Beanies 4 Cancer.