Nicla’s Story: Honouring Her Mum
Nicla was born and raised in Italy and moved to Australia almost eight years ago. Her connection to liver cancer is deeply personal. When she was just 14, her mum was diagnosed with liver cancer and given only a few months to live. But with incredible strength, determination, and love for her children, her mum kept fighting.
In the summer of 2012, life took another difficult turn. Nicla’s mum broke both her ankles, leaving her in a wheelchair, and soon after, she woke up paralysed on one side of her body. Doctors didn’t expect her to survive the next 24 hours, but she defied all odds making it through days that turned into weeks. Despite this resilience, Nicla and her family knew the time they had left together was precious.
They moved her into a hospice where she worked through physical therapy, but Nicla could see the exhaustion and fading hope in her mum’s eyes. Nicla’s family was able to bring her mum home, creating a hospital space in their study to care for her. For a woman who had always been strong, independent, and selfless (a devoted mum, business owner, and friend) losing that independence was heartbreaking. She bravely asked for peace, and on 30 October 2012, at 2:11am, Nicla’s mum passed away surrounded by love.
Since then, every year on that date, Nicla has found her own way to honour her mum, whether taking a quiet day for herself or going on a trip. And because October is also Liver Cancer Awareness Month, she has chosen to use this time to raise funds so that fewer families have to go through what hers did.
Last year, on the 12th anniversary of her mum’s passing, Nicla shaved her head to raise funds for Liver Foundation and donated her hair to Variety, the children’s charity, to help create wigs. Her generosity is deeply rooted in hope: that one day, no one else will have to lose someone they love to liver cancer.
You, too, have the power to make a real difference. If Nicla’s story inspires you, you can find out more about how to get involved here.
