Bright Christmas decorations make Lorraine Attard’s small living room seem cheerful – but this year, they nearly stayed in their box. Three months ago, the mother of four was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

With children aged between 15 and 20 and a three-year-old granddaughter to support, she was left wondering how she would cope on social benefits when she herself needed care.

Following a five-and-a-half hour operation that effectively removed her uterus, ovaries and bladder, even everyday chores became extremely strenuous.

Ms Attard, 39, who married at 18 and has been separated for the past three years, had to give up her cleaning job.

Her family has lived on the brink of poverty for years.

The drainage system and bath of their small Birkirkara home are in dire need of repair.

Floodwater has destroyed the furniture on three occasions and rats often manage to sneak indoors, much to the hygienic Ms Attard’s dismay.

Yet despite the family’s hardships, Ms Attard’s warm smile and overwhelmingly positive attitude shines through.

“I wasn’t shocked when I received the news – I had suspected that something was wrong before I was actually diagnosed,” she says.

“I had been feeling increasingly tired and also had vaginal bleeding. But I was reluctant to get myself diagnosed as I didn’t want to stop working – I knew that if I stopped, everyone would stop.”

I was reluctant to get myself diagnosed as I didn’t want to stop working

Doctors first planned to begin radiotherapy and chemotherapy then progress to surgery. However, the cancer was aggressive, so she was operated upon immediately.

“I put on a brave face and told my children that things weren’t looking good – but I was adamant that life must continue normally.”

The operation meant she missed her granddaughter’s first day at school.

From the hospital bed, her mind constantly wandered to how her children were coping.

The eldest, Nolene, took on the responsibility of caring for her siblings, as well as her own daughter.

“When I returned home, Nolene told me, ‘Mum, you’ve always loved us and cared for us and done so much for us. Now, it’s my turn to care for you’.

“I was so worried, seeing her so pale and tired. It broke my heart. She was planning on studying childcare. But she gave it up to care for me,” Ms Attard says, her eyes brimming.

Her children adore her, as do their friends, who refer to Ms Attard as their second mum.

She is quick to offer them her sofa whenever any feel they need refuge from their troubled family backgrounds, despite her own humble conditions, and she has always been an avid lover of Christmas.

“What I’m unable to give my children throughout the year, I do my utmost to give it to them at Christmas, even if I have to really stretch myself.

“There are days where I wouldn’t know whether I’d manage to put together something for dinner. Yet, somehow, I’ve always scraped through.

“Their presents mostly consist of practical stuff they’d use throughout the year, including socks,” she laughs.

“I want this Christmas to be like any other,” she continues, her voice becoming more sober.

“For me, Christmas equals family. My family is the supremely most important thing in my life. And I don’t know whether it’ll be my last one.”

Despite the surgery, her vaginal bleeding has persisted.

Ms Attard will now be spending a month receiving chemo-therapy and radiotherapy simultaneously.

“My mantra is: ‘hand in hand, we’ll get there’,” she adds.

“That’s what I tell my children whenever life gets rough.”

This hopeful attitude was echoed by Daqqa t’Id foundation, an NGO that helps sick people, run by Charles Saliba.

Mr Saliba said he is planning a Christmas dinner for the whole family, as Ms Attard is unable to organise one herself – and the foundation has more surprises in store, but they remain secret for now.

He would also like to give them a weekend break and lots of presents, he added, and urged people to help them out.

“This family has been through martyrdom for so many years. Let’s help Lorraine as she helped others by ensuring they have a beautiful and peaceful Christmas.”

To help Lorraine Attard and her family this Christmas, donations can be made by sending an SMS to the following numbers:

50617376 - €2.33

50618059 - €4.66

50618903 - €6.99

50619230 - €11.65