A mother was deeply saddened when a fraudulent individual created a fake fundraising campaign for her severely ill infant.
Katelyn Clarke, 23, initiated a legitimate fundraiser for her 11-month-old daughter, Macey-Mai, following the discovery that her uncommon birthmark was cancerous. To her dismay, a heartless scammer established a website in her daughter’s name, deceiving unsuspecting donors who believed they were contributing to Macey-Mai’s cause.
Approximately £12,600 was purportedly raised, prompting Katelyn, who is in the process of reporting the incident as fraudulent, to denounce the act, stating, “They are profiting off a critically ill child.” The authenticity of the donations made on the fraudulent website remains uncertain. Macey-Mai was born with giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN), a benign, tumor-like abnormality.
This condition arises from the flawed development of pigment cells and covers various parts of Macey-Mai’s body. In August 2025, she underwent the removal of seven lesions from her largest birthmark at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, which were subsequently subjected to genetic testing and a biopsy. Following an agonizing wait for the results, the distressing revelation that one of the growths was malignant was disclosed. Tests indicated a cancerous transformation within Macey’s primary birthmark, posing potential risks.
The authentic GoFundMe initiative aimed to raise funds to assist with the expenses related to Macey-Mai’s numerous appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Conversely, the fraudulent campaign falsely asserted that they opted for private treatment after the NHS allegedly declined to address Macey’s GCMN.
Hailing from Plymouth, Devon, Katelyn expressed her devastation over the deceit, emphasizing, “Macey urgently required those funds, and it is abhorrent for someone to exploit her story by creating a fake page to profit at her expense. I am heartbroken that a person could inflict this upon our family and Macey-Mai.”
Katelyn, who has two other children, highlighted the challenges of balancing family time with frequent appointments. Over the past 11 months, they have attended numerous appointments in London and are awaiting the biopsy results of Macey’s recent surgery to ascertain the nature of another lesion on her birthmark. Reflecting on the distressing diagnosis, Katelyn lamented, “I have never cried like that before; my heart has been shattered since learning that one of the growths was malignant.”
The National Library of Medicine reports that GCMN affects 1% of newborns, with 1 in 20,000-500,000 live births showcasing this condition. The birthmark can exhibit varying colors and textures, typically exceeding 20cm in size. Katelyn emphasized the necessity of monitoring her daughter’s birthmark for any changes in the upcoming months.
She shared, “I am tasked with monitoring it closely, checking for bleeding or alterations in size since any change could indicate melanoma within her nevus. Daily, I meticulously examine every inch of her skin, as even the slightest alteration can signify a serious issue.” Katelyn also mentioned the challenges of managing Macey’s irritable skin, necessitating special sleep suits to ensure her comfort.
To date, the family has raised £20,000, aiding in Macey-Mai’s continuous care appointments in London, covering travel expenses and essential needs during their visits. Katelyn expressed gratitude for the support received, emphasizing its critical role in Macey’s journey with CMN.
For the authentic fundraiser supporting Macey-Mai, click here. The Mirror has reached out to GoFundMe for comment.