A mother felt devastated when a fraudster created a fake donation page for her seriously ill infant. Katelyn Clarke, 23, had initiated a legitimate fundraiser for her 11-month-old daughter, Macey-Mai, upon discovering that her rare birthmark was cancerous. Shockingly, a heartless individual duplicated the GoFundMe account, deceiving donors into contributing to the fake cause.
The imposter managed to collect £12,600 before Katelyn flagged it as fraudulent, expressing outrage at the exploitation of her child’s illness. Macey-Mai suffers from giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN), a non-malignant, tumor-like skin condition. Following surgical procedures to remove seven lesions from her birthmark in August 2025, one lesion was confirmed malignant after testing.
The authentic fundraising campaign aimed to support the expenses of Macey-Mai’s treatments at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. In contrast, the fraudulent page falsely claimed they sought private treatment due to an alleged refusal by the NHS to address Macey’s condition. Katelyn, residing in Plymouth, Devon, condemned the scam, emphasizing the impact on her family and the donors who believed they were aiding Macey-Mai.
Constant visits to London for medical appointments have disrupted their family time, with numerous consultations and awaiting biopsy results adding to the stress. Katelyn’s emotional turmoil intensified upon learning of the malignancy in her daughter’s birthmark, a condition that typically manifests in adults rather than infants. GCMN affects a small percentage of newborns, presenting various characteristics and requiring vigilant monitoring for any changes.
The daily monitoring includes observing for bleeding or size alterations in Macey-Mai’s birthmark, as any deviation could indicate melanoma development. Additionally, her sensitive skin necessitates special sleepwear to alleviate discomfort, further straining the family financially. Despite the challenges, donations totaling £20,000 have facilitated Macey-Mai’s medical care and essential needs during their hospital visits.
For those interested in supporting Macey-Mai’s journey, her legitimate GoFundMe page can be accessed online. The Mirror has reached out to GoFundMe for a response to the situation.
