A young woman from the Midlands diagnosed with a cancer so rare it affects just one in three million people has died at the age of 22. Madi Foster first experienced unusual breathlessness and a lack of energy when she was 17, but her symptoms were initially attributed to anxiety.
Her mother, Nicola Foster, took her to a GP, but the symptoms persisted and Madi later developed back pain and excessive sweating. After being admitted to Stafford Hospital and undergoing a biopsy at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, she was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer with odds of one in three million for someone her age.
Doctors gave her 15 to 18 months to live, but her family launched an appeal for specialist treatment in the United States, raising over £70,000. Despite these efforts, Madi passed away on Monday, June 1.
Tributes from Football Club
Bellshill Athletic, a football club based near Glasgow, paid tribute to Madi, whose grandfather, Rab Sneddon, was a club legend. The club wrote on Facebook: "Everyone at Bellshill Athletic would like to pass on our condolences on learning of the sad passing of Madi Foster. Madi, granddaughter of Bellshill Athletic legend, Rab Sneddon, lost her battle yesterday after a very courageous fight, aged just 22. Our thoughts are with Rab, Robert Sneddon Jr and all the family."
Funeral Arrangements
Madi's funeral will be held at Stafford Crematorium on June 19. Her mother wrote on the family's GoFundMe page that Madi wanted her wake to be a "party" with live music. She added: "All are welcome to attend and share in remembering her life. Madi requested that there is no dress code — please wear whatever you would like."
