Mother with cancer sacrifices herself to save life of her unborn baby

A 30-year-old woman is being remembered for her bravery and sacrifice after she chose to give birth prematurely and died three days later.

On February 8th, a six month pregnant Danielle Janofsky went to the hospital with abdominal pains.

Janofsky, already a mother to a four-year-old girl, had battled and beaten melanoma two years ago and had been receiving regular check-ups.

But what doctors discovered was that the aggressive cancer had returned and spread to Janofsky's liver, stomach, kidney and brain.

So as she faced a dire prognosis, Janofsky made a choice.

"She made the selfless and loving decision to deliver baby Jake on Friday February 24th thereby sacrificing herself so that her son could live," it said on a GoFundMe page set up by her loved ones.

The baby was born weighing just 1 pound, 11 ounces and has been placed into a neonatal intensive care unit.

Janofsky had three days with her baby before she passed away.

The next day, her mother Barbara Jackson posted a heartbreaking and moving eulogy, "I will miss her calling me up saying Hi Mommy in a voice that always reminded me of that long ago little girl."

"If love could have saved her, she would have lived a hundred years," Jackson added. 

Janofsky's husband, 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.

Max Janofsky is a K9 officer with the Deptford Township Police Department.

He is also a retired Staff Sergeant, Bronze Star recipient, and a combat veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Army.

The fundraising page set up in Danielle Janofsky's honor is to benefit the couple's children, daughter Avery and baby Jake.

Organizers say 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.”

People have responded from far and wide with more than $80,000 raised since the crowd-funding page was set up last month.

Some of the comments left on the GoFundMe page come from people with ties to law enforcement or the military.

"This story truly touched me as I am a military spouse," wrote April Marshall.

"Max, I know this is all about your wife and I am not trying to take from that, but I have to take time to thank you as well. You sound like an ideal SOLDIER and person. I want to THANK YOU for your Service to Our Country and your continued Service as a Police Officer. A SOLDIER shows great strength and courage each and every day," said Marshall.

Janofsky's family is expressing deep gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support, especially from members of the Fraternal Order of Police or "FOP."

"We wish we could hug each and everyone of you personally... We want the universe to know the sacrifice dani made to bring jake into this world," wrote Judy Harty-Janofsky.

"...danis story has reached so far and wide... the FOP and all first responders I didn't truly understand when you say ' brotherhood /sisterhood' you are truly family," added Harty-Janofsky.