Ruth and Harley Carnegie have welcomed a baby daughter against all odds.
Ruth and Harley Carnegie have welcomed a baby daughter against all odds.
A young woman battling aggressive brain cancer has given birth to a baby girl.
The birth was able to go ahead after Auckland mum Ruth Carnegie had specialist radiation treatment to avoid harming her unborn child.
Carnegie received the horror diagnosis of a malignant and inoperable brain tumour late lastyear while heavily pregnant - and just after celebrating her first wedding anniversary.
The former events manager at child cancer charity Cure Kids was treated by specialist maternal foetal doctors at Auckland City Hospital.
They applied radiation therapy to the brain, avoiding harm to the unborn child.
"Despite what the doctors have said, they're very determined they will die old and grey and surrounded by many children."
On Valentine's Day, Ruth Carnegie posted a picture of her daughter to her Facebook friends: "I am privileged to be married to the most AMAZING husband, and now Daddy to our darling Abigail Rose Carnegie, Harley Carnegie I love you. Happy Valentines day," she said.
A fundraising page set up before Christmas has collected about $15,000.
A second page, titled "Hope for Ruthee" was set up just before Abigail's birth and has raised around $8,000 including $5,000 from an Australian cancer sufferer and young mum-of-two Chelsea Fuller.
"It's so sad to hear this Ruthee," she said. "I know exactly how you feel ... been through a similar situation with two little ones myself. Never give up hope is my advice."
