A MOTHER-OF-TWO who underwent a leg amputation last year is fundraising for an operation which could save her life, after an endless battle with tumours.

Roxi Cox, who lives in Lliswerry, was diagnosed with a condition called peripheral arteriovenous malformation which causes tumours to grow between her arteries and veins, and spread.

Diagnosed with it at just 11, she has been fighting it ever since.

Mrs Cox said: “I was 11 when my mum noticed I was limping.

“My leg just kept swelling and we couldn’t understand why it was happening.

“I went for a scan and had a lump on the back of my calf removed. It was then they told me I had the disorder, which can lead to heart failure.”

She said she had hoped that would be the end of her suffering, but, sadly, the 27-year-old discovered the tumours had returned last year.

“I think we all knew that eventually it was going to happen but still it was a big shock,” she added.

“The amputation was from just above the knee.

And, she has just found out she is still not in the clear.

She said: “Three months ago I found out from doctors that the tumours had come back again.”

Mrs Cox, who has two young children and hopes to become a nurse, said her aim now is to raise funds for an operation in America, before the tumours spread further.

“I have been told an operation would not be available here,” she added.

“But the longer I leave it the worse it will get, and the higher my risk of heart failure.

I have to fight this for my children.

“I did research on the John Hopkins Clinic in Maryland and they have told me that they can give me an operation.”

“But I need to raise money for transportation, an operation and a consultation, which alone could cost £2,000.”

To help, one of Mrs Cox’s friends, Rudi Paderman, has organised a charity boxing night.

He said: “Roxi is a close friend and I want to do what ever I can to help her through this.

Thursday, November 2, 2017 3 southwalesargus.co.uk/news NEWS IN BRIEF “I like boxing and suggested the idea.

“I think we can raise a lot of money for it and it’ll all go to help Roxi.

“I hope lots of people can come to watch.”

Mrs Cox called it a touching gesture.

“When he suggested it I felt moved and I’m fully behind his idea,” she added.

The boxing match will take place on December 16, at The Neon, from 6pm.

To make a donation to Mrs Cox’s cause, and for more information, visit http:// bit.ly/2zbq04z