A mother was devastated when a scammer created a fake donation page for her sick infant. Katelyn Clarke, 23, initiated a legitimate fundraiser for her 11-month-old daughter Macey-Mai after discovering that her unusual birthmark was cancerous. She was shocked to learn that someone had deceitfully established a website under her daughter’s name, deceiving donors who believed they were supporting Macey-Mai’s cause.
Approximately £12,600 was purportedly raised through the fraudulent site, prompting Katelyn to condemn the act as fraudulent. Macey-Mai, diagnosed with giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN), underwent surgery to remove seven lesions from her birthmark at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, in August 2025.
Following extensive genetic testing and biopsies, it was confirmed that one of the growths was cancerous. The genuine GoFundMe campaign aimed to assist in covering the expenses of Macey-Mai’s medical appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital but the fake page falsely claimed they were seeking private treatment after the NHS allegedly declined to remove the birthmark.
Expressing her anguish, Katelyn from Plymouth, Devon, described the deception as heart-wrenching and expressed her disappointment at the exploitation of her daughter’s situation. She emphasized the significance of the funds for Macey-Mai’s treatment and lamented the impact of the fraudulent scheme on innocent donors.
Katelyn disclosed the challenges her family faces due to the frequent hospital visits, disrupting their quality time together. She revealed the emotional turmoil upon learning of Macey-Mai’s cancer diagnosis and the complexities of managing her condition from birth.
The condition affects a small percentage of newborns, with distinct characteristics including varying colors and sizes of the birthmark, necessitating vigilant monitoring for any changes. Katelyn detailed the daily tasks involved in caring for Macey-Mai’s sensitive skin, including obtaining specialized clothing to alleviate her discomfort.
Despite the hardships, the family managed to raise £20,000 to support Macey-Mai’s medical needs and travel expenses for hospital visits. Katelyn expressed gratitude for the contributions that have facilitated Macey-Mai’s journey and urged support for the authentic fundraiser to aid in her daughter’s ongoing care.
