A 20-year-old woman from Stafford has been diagnosed with a rare form of adrenal cancer, the same condition that claimed the life of influencer Lorna Luxe’s husband, John Andrews. Madi Foster’s journey began at age 17 when she started experiencing symptoms that were initially misdiagnosed as anxiety.
Madi, who was active and played for the Stafford Rugby Club, noticed she was becoming breathless and lacked energy. Despite her healthy lifestyle, these symptoms persisted, prompting her mother, Nicola Foster, to seek medical help. They visited their general practitioner, who attributed Madi’s condition to anxiety and depression, suggesting treatment with antidepressants.
As Madi’s symptoms worsened, she began experiencing severe back pain and excessive sweating. In a critical turn of events, she was rushed to Stafford Hospital, where doctors discovered a 15-centimeter tumor wrapped around her spleen. A subsequent biopsy at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham confirmed the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer with occurrences of one in three million in Madi’s age group.
Facing Adversity and a Fight for Life
On March 7, 2024, Lorna Luxe announced the death of her husband after a prolonged battle with stage four adrenal cancer, sparking increased awareness around this rare disease. Madi underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which weighed approximately 2 kilograms. Unfortunately, following the operation, her abdomen filled with fluid, leading to septic shock in November 2023.
Nicola recalled the harrowing moment when doctors informed them that Madi might not survive. “She went into emergency surgery. She had to have her heart restarted three times that night and experienced multiple organ failure,” said Nicola. Remarkably, after two weeks in intensive care, Madi came home, but doctors later revealed that her cancer had returned, now affecting her abdomen and liver.
The prognosis was grim—doctors classified Madi’s cancer as stage four and estimated her remaining life expectancy at 15 to 18 months. However, her parents, Nicola and Craig, refused to accept this fate. They began to research alternative treatment options and discovered the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, a leading research facility funded by the U.S. government.
Community Support Fuels Hope for Treatment
With the help of an online fundraising campaign, the Foster family raised over £70,000 to support Madi’s treatment journey in the United States. Nicola described the support as “phenomenal,” stating, “It has given us all hope again when we thought there wasn’t any.”
Madi traveled to Maryland and underwent her first surgery on August 19, 2024, to relieve pressure on her spine. A subsequent operation on August 27, 2024, involved the removal of half her liver and the tumors present there, followed by radiation therapy.
Despite the challenges, Madi’s resilience shines through. “She’s got such a positive attitude. She’s never cried; she’s not let it upset her,” her mother affirmed. Madi expressed her determination, stating, “My plan is to get well through the treatment they’re offering at the NIH and go on to study medicine, particularly oncology.”
To support Madi and contribute to her ongoing treatment, donations can be made through her GoFundMe page titled “Help Save Madi – ACC Warrior”. With unwavering hope and the strength of community support, Madi continues to fight against this rare cancer, inspiring many along the way.
