Twin's 'flu' turned out to be one in a million terminal cancer

Kym Snape battles to find a cure for her sister Emma's devastating condition

A twin has shared her heartbreak after her sister's 'flu' turned out to be a "one in a million" type of terminal cancer.

Kym Snape said it was devastating to discover that her "other half" Emma Snape, 34, had epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), which has no cure. The first indication that Emma had the disease - which grows from cells which make up the blood vessels - was when she experienced flu-like symptoms in February.

But when she went to hospital, this was diagnosed as far more severe pneumonia. Months later, tests shockingly revealed that she had contracted EHE, which only affects one in a million people worldwide each year.

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Mum-of-two Kym, who is raising money to find a cure for the cancer, said her twin sister's prognosis was extremely difficult to take due to their close bonds. She said it has been "heartbreaking" to watch her twin go through it.

She added: "It's technically a terminal diagnosis as there's no cure for it. It's been the hardest year. With her being my twin, it's been so hard for me not being able to control this situation and make her better as she is literally my other half."

Mum of two Emma thanked Kym for her unwavering support during her time of need - calling her "the real superwoman".

She added: "I don't know what I'd have done without Kym. From day one after getting my diagnosis she's been full into research, fundraising, gathering all sorts of different contacts to help me, whilst having her own young family to care for.

"She's the real superwoman. It's been so wonderfully overwhelming how generous and kind people have been, everyone just wants to help, my work, small businesses, family and friends. People really have come together for me."

EHE cancer can occur anywhere in the body, with the most common sites being the liver, lungs and bones. It's usually found in people between the ages of 30 and 50 but can also occur in young children and older people.

When Emma was diagnosed, doctors found 20 nodules in her lungs and more in her omentum - the fatty tissue that starts in your stomach and goes over your intestines. And she has since been in and out of hospital for dozens of appointments, as she continued to fight the horrendous condition.

Kym said: "Some days she is fine and others she will wake up in agony. She's on a lot of pain relief and anti-sickness drugs. She's fighting against this disease every day whilst remaining the world's best mummy to her two boys and partner."

Kym has set up a donation page to raise money for the EHE Rare Cancer Charity (EHERCC), which is working hard to find a cure.
She has so far garnered over £6,000 from big-hearted locals and will take on a sponsored run in November to help pull in further cash.

Kym, of Leyland, Lancashire, said: "I have taken control in the only way possible which is to learn about this disease and to raise money for critical research to take place in the hope of finding a cure."

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/find-a-cure-for-epithelioid-hemangioendothelioma-ehe to donate to the fundraiser.

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