Tragedy as mom-to-be, 30, discovers she has cancer of the brain, stomach, kidney and liver at her six-month check-up, chooses to give birth prematurely and dies three days later

  • Danielle Janofsky died from cancer three days after delivering her baby boy  
  • Doctors diagnosed the 30-year-old mother with melanoma two years ago 
  • In February doctors found it spread to her liver, kidney, stomach and her brain
  • Last month, Danielle, who was six months pregnant, gave birth to her son Jake 
  • Their son, Jake, was born weighing one pound and 11 ounces on February 24 
  • Mother-of-two tragically passed away three days after giving birth on Feb 27
  • She and her husband, Officer Max Janofsky, also have a four-year-old daughter 

A married mother-of-two delivered her second child three months early when she was suddenly diagnosed with Stage IV skin cancer and died three days later.

Danielle Janofsky and her husband of five years, Officer Max Janofsky, found out they were expecting their second child in September.

In February, six months into her pregnancy, the 30-year-old went to the doctor with abdominal pains, according to the Deptford Township Police Department, where her husband works. 

But before she went to the doctor she believed that everything was fine because of her routine check ups. 

Tragically her doctors discovered the melanoma that she had been diagnosed with two years prior had returned. 

This time, they found it had spread to her liver, kidney, stomach and her brain.

Mother-of-two, Danielle Janofsky (pictured), delivered her second child before tragically dying from cancer three days later. She and her husband of five years, Officer Max Janofsky, found out they were expecting their second child in September

Mother-of-two, Danielle Janofsky (pictured), delivered her second child before tragically dying from cancer three days later. She and her husband of five years, Officer Max Janofsky, found out they were expecting their second child in September

Last month, doctors discovered that Danielle's melanoma that she had been diagnosed with two years prior had returned. Doctors found that it had spread to her liver, kidney, stomach and her brain. She gave birth to their son, Jake (pictured) who weighed one pound and 11 ounces

Last month, doctors discovered that Danielle's melanoma that she had been diagnosed with two years prior had returned. Doctors found that it had spread to her liver, kidney, stomach and her brain. She gave birth to their son, Jake (pictured) who weighed one pound and 11 ounces

Danielle and her husband Max also have their four-year-old daughter, Avery (pictured), together
Danielle's husband Max never left her side

Heartbreaking: Danielle and her husband Max also have four-year-old daughter, Avery (left) together. She spent her final moments playing 'doctor' with her adorable daughter, while her husband never left her side

'On February 27, 2017, K9 Officer Max Janofsky lost his amazing wife, Danielle, after her courageous battle with cancer, lasting only about three weeks,' the department said on Facebook

The couple already had a four-year-old daughter, Avery.

Danielle had a mole removed after doctors diagnosed it as melanoma nearly two years prior.

Her husband told NJ.com she always went to the doctor for check ups to keep an eye on it. 

And despite the devastating diagnosis of metastasized melanoma, Danielle decided to deliver her baby boy, Jake on February 24, before she died. 

Jake weighed one pound and 11 ounces when he was born via C-section. 

Their newborn is currently receiving care at the University of Pennsylvania's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. 

Danielle had a mole removed after doctors diagnosed it as melanoma nearly two years prior. Her husband said she always went to the doctor for check ups to keep an eye on it. She's pictured with her daughter Avery 

Danielle had a mole removed after doctors diagnosed it as melanoma nearly two years prior. Her husband said she always went to the doctor for check ups to keep an eye on it. She's pictured with her daughter Avery 

And despite the devastating diagnosis of metastasized melanoma, Danielle decided to deliver her baby boy, Jake on February 24, before she died

And despite the devastating diagnosis of metastasized melanoma, Danielle decided to deliver her baby boy, Jake on February 24, before she died

Danielle's (pictured with Avery) newborn, Jake, is currently receiving care at the University of Pennsylvania's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her husband Max said their son Jake is currently on a ventilator with lungs that aren't developing

Danielle's (pictured with Avery) newborn, Jake, is currently receiving care at the University of Pennsylvania's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her husband Max said their son Jake is currently on a ventilator with lungs that aren't developing

A GoFundMe page was created to help ease the family's financial burden. More than $67,000 has been raised since it was created two weeks ago. The money raised on GoFundMe will be used to create trust funds for Avery and Jake

A GoFundMe page was created to help ease the family's financial burden. More than $67,000 has been raised since it was created two weeks ago. The money raised on GoFundMe will be used to create trust funds for Avery and Jake

Max, who is a retired Staff Sergeant, Bronze Star recipient, combat veteran who served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan for the United States Army, their son, Jake, is currently on a ventilator with lungs that aren't developing. 

He told NJ.com that his wife's hobby was 'being a wife and a mother', adding that 'it's what she loved to do'.

He said Danielle had plans to take maternity leave this summer and relax on the beach.  

A GoFundMe page was created to help ease the family's financial burden. More than $67,000 has been raised since it was created two weeks ago. 

'Max was by her side every minute helping to ease her pain and remind her of how much love surrounds her and her family,' according to the GoFundMe page. 

MELANOMA: THE DEADLIEST TYPE OF SKIN CANCER

Danielle died after her melanoma became metastatic, also known as Stage IV melanoma.  

The most dangerous aspect of melanoma is its ability to spread to other parts of the body. 

Stage IV melanoma, is caused when melanoma cells of any kind spread through the lymph nodes to the body's organs. The liver, lungs, bones and brain are most often affected by these metastases.

As with other cancers, metastases occur when the melanoma is not caught in the early stages.  

Most times, symptoms only become present once it is has already spread. 

Once melanoma has spread, determining the original type is nearly impossible, which makes planning the right treatment extremely difficult. 

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers and the deadliest in the US. It's also the most common cancer found in young people between the ages of 25-29.

Once a person is diagnosed with the illness, their doctor will recommend professional appointments every 3-6 months and at-home skin exams.  

More than 80 per cent of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun and/or sunbeds.

The majority of early melanoma, where there is no spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, can be cured by simple removal.

But melanoma is much more difficult to treat in the later stages.

Using tanning beds before the age of 30 increases your risk of a melanoma diagnosis by 75 per cent. 

 Source: Melanoma.org  

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The money the couple had went toward medical bills and because his wife was 'so young' the family 'didn't think we needed to have a major life insurance plan for her'.

In addition to her medical bills, Danielle also had student loans to pay off.

'Danielle didn't have to work,' he said. 'She wanted to work and the money she got was put away for the kids' education.' 

She worked as a legal administrator for The Law Offices of William Staehle in Marlton.

The money raised on GoFundMe will be used to create trust funds for Avery and Jake. 

The police department wrote that the 'funds will be used to ensure the best medical care for Jake and additional funds will be used for education purposes for the children'.

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