Cancer survivor mother devastated after being told her three daughters all need to have chemotherapy

A mother who survived cancer three times now faces another heartbreaking battle after three of her five children were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and told they need chemotherapy.Lesley Owens, 43, now faces the daunting task of managing the treatment of her three daughters: Sinead, 20, Caitlyn, 18, and Rhiann, 16.She has fought squamous cell carcinoma three times, has had her womb removed and now lives with a colostomy and stoma bag.Tyler Heyworth is the only one of Lesley's daughters not diagnosed with the extremely rare condition IRF8 gene deficiency.The rare condition affects the immune system and makes it incredibly hard for a person's body to fight off common viruses.Patients are regularly given immune cells from healthy donors to help fight viruses, as well as medications such as steroids to reduce inflammation.Tyler, who has a one-year-old son, believes her family is the second in the world to receive a triple diagnosis of IRF8 gene deficiency.She told the Daily Mail it had changed their lives forever, with her youngest sister already having had an ovary removed and a bone marrow transplant. Pictured L-R: Caitlyn, 18, Sinead, 20, mother Lesley, 43, Rhiann, 16 and Riley, 13 Mother-of-five Lesley Owens (pictured) has fought squamous cell carcinoma three times. Three of her four daughters have undergone chemotherapy to fight a rare genetic condition Tyler Heyworth is the only one of Lesley's daughters not diagnosed with the extremely rare condition IRF8 gene deficiency. The condition affects the immune system Tyler said: 'For years, my mum was taking my sisters to the doctors because they were constantly poorly. They would have what seemed like everyday illnesses - things like cold sores, flu-like illnesses and recurring problems with their ears. 'But because nobody knew what was actually causing it, my mum was going back to the doctors time and time again and felt like she was being fobbed off. 'She knew there was something seriously wrong with her children. She knew this wasn't just them catching normal illnesses all the time. My youngest sister has already been through things that no 16-year-old should ever have to experience. 'She's had chemotherapy, she's had an ovary removed, she's had a bone marrow transplant and she's lost her hair because of her treatment.'She's spent so much of her childhood in hospitals and has missed out on things that should have been some of her happiest memories. She even missed her prom.'In another cruel blow, Tyler said Sinead has also been diagnosed with vulva cancer. All three have lost their hair during chemotherapy. She said her mother has somehow managed to hold the family together while juggling her own ill health, constant hospital appointments and treatments, running a household and looking after Tyler's 13-year-old brother Riley. In another cruel blow, Sinead, 20, has also been diagnosed with vulva cancer Rhiann, 16, has undergone chemotherapy and has already had an ovary removed The rare condition affects the immune system and makes it incredibly hard for a person's body to fight off common viruses (Caityn Heyworth, 18, is pictured)Tyler said: 'As their sister, I've felt completely helpless. I can't take away the chemotherapy. I can't take away the pain. I can't stop them having to go into hospital.'But despite everything, my sisters are incredibly strong. And my mum is the strongest person I know. We've been through things I never imagined we'd have to face, and it's been heartbreaking. But we're still here. We're still fighting. 'And I'm incredibly proud of my sisters and my mum.'Tyler has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for everyday costs so her sisters can focus on getting through their treatment. It has so far reached over £4,500 of its £5,000 goal. The family are especially grateful to Sharna Kennedy, who helped raise £2,200 through her community. Tyler hopes raising awareness of IRF8 gene deficiency could help another family who may be going through something similar. She said: 'I think people hear the words 'rare disease' and don't realise what that actually means for a family. It means years of unanswered questions. It means hospital appointments, chemotherapy, operations and transplants. 'It means watching your sisters lose their hair and miss out on their childhood and teenage years. And it means a mum who is already incredibly unwell herself still getting up every day and fighting for her children.'