The mother who became a powerful voice in the fight for justice for young Tony Hudgell is now facing an unimaginable battle of her own.

In a deeply emotional update shared with supporters, Tony’s mum revealed that she is living with advanced cancer, following what she says were 14 separate misdiagnoses over a prolonged period of time. The news has sent shockwaves through the many people who have followed the family’s story and stood beside them throughout years of public campaigning and personal hardship.

For countless supporters, her name is closely linked with courage, determination and resilience. She became widely known after leading the fight to protect vulnerable children and to ensure that what happened to her son would never be allowed to happen again. Her advocacy helped spark national conversations around safeguarding, accountability and the treatment of victims.

Now, that same strength is being called upon in a far more personal and painful way.

In her message, she spoke openly about the emotional impact of finally receiving clarity after months of uncertainty. She described how repeated assessments failed to identify the seriousness of her condition, delaying vital answers at a time when she and her family were already carrying the weight of an extraordinary past.

The update has left supporters heartbroken, not only because of the diagnosis itself, but because of how much this family has already endured.

Despite everything, she has emphasised that she is not facing this moment alone.

She spoke of the constant support of her family, the comfort of being surrounded by love, and the overwhelming kindness shown by people who have followed Tony’s journey since the beginning. Messages of encouragement have flooded social media, with many thanking her for the strength she has shown — both as a mother and as a campaigner.

Those close to the family say that even in the midst of her own struggle, she continues to show the same selflessness and quiet bravery that once defined her public fight for her son.

Her story has become a painful reminder that behind every headline and every campaign is a family still navigating real, private battles.