Nolan sisters Linda, 61, and Anne, 69, have revealed they’re battling cancer together, years after the death of their sister Bernie, who died in 2013 at age 53 following a battle with cancer. The siblings, who formed part of the Irish group The Nolans and famous for hits such as ‘Gotta Pull Myself Together’ and ‘I’m In The Mood For Dancing’, received the news of their shock diagnosis within days of each other.
A tweet from The Nolans account confirmed the devastating news. “For the past few months during lockdown, Linda and Anne have been battling cancer and chemotherapy together. We will get through this together, as a family.”
Speaking of the moment they were diagnosed, Linda told The Sun: “We laughed and we cried really. It’s hysterical. Forget the Chemical Brothers, we’ve become the Chemo Sisters.”
Meanwhile, Anne, a mum of two and a grandmother of three, said: “I don’t want to die. I love my life so much. I love my daughters, my grandchildren, my friends, all my family. I want to live for as long as I possibly can.”
According to the publication, Anne found out she had stage three breast cancer, which she has battled once before, in April, and a couple of days later Linda discovered she had incurable liver cancer — her third reoccurrence following breast cancer in 2006 and secondary cancer on her pelvis in 2017.
“On May 7 our sister Maureen called me at 10am to say that Anne’s breast cancer had been confirmed,” Linda said. “Then half an hour later my oncologist’s secretary phoned me to say, ‘We need you to have an MRI scan because we’ve seen something on your liver’.”
Many fans have since jumped on social media to wish the sisters a speedy recovery, with Twitter user @Cherylbaker writing: “Sending so much love, light and positivity, @LindaNolan_ and @AnneNolan2. You are amazing women and the strength of your family, friends and fans will see you through, I’m sure.”
Meanwhile, @DazFS tweeted: “This is absolutely heartbreaking. How much more must this family go through. They’re a tight family and stronger together to get through this.”
And @all_maureen wrote: “Sending so much love to these brave ladies, my dad is also going through chemo for cancer that won’t ever go. It’s painful to watch our loved ones go through this.”