Nicola White, 33, from Llanelli in Wales, lost her battle with cancer on Friday after ‘tragedy upon tragedy’ as she fought to stay alive
A mother-of-two diagnosed with bone cancer aged 16 has died surrounded by her family after a desperate campaign to save her life.
Nicola White, 33, from Llanelli in Wales, lost her battle with the terrible illness on Friday after ‘tragedy upon tragedy’ as she fought to stay alive.
Friends and family started the Save Nicola campaign last year to raise money for pioneering proton beam therapy treatment not available on the NHS.
Nicola had already tried numerous treatments since her diagnosis and developed septicaemia in 2011, which resulted in her having an above-the-knee amputation.
And the cancer later returned – this time affecting her lung – and she was told there was nothing that could be done.
Not willing to give up on their loved-one, her family raised more than £100,000 with their campaign for the potentially life-saving treatment.
Campaigners even managed to find a Harley Street doctor who said he could operate on the tumour.
But at the end of last year, as plans for her lung surgery in London were being finalised, a scan showed the cancer had spread to her liver.
Nicola was moved to the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli, where she passed away.
‘It’s tragedy upon tragedy,’ said family friend Gary Griffiths, who grew up next door to Ms White and knew her all her life.
‘We’re totally crushed. We tried so hard to help her but in the end we just ran out of time.
‘I want to say a special thank you to the people of Llanelli and beyond who have helped us so much in our bid to help Nicola.
‘The whole town of Llanelli came out to help – it was extraordinary.
‘I’d also like to thank the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice for everything they’ve done over the past few weeks.’
A post on the group’s Facebook page said: ‘We are devastated, numb and heartbroken our brave friend has left us so soon.
‘Our hearts go out to Nicola’s family, her husband Alex, her children Owen and Ava, her mum Diane and her brother Andrew.
‘Nicola’s life itself was a miracle given her unrelenting battle with rare bone cancer from the age of 16.
‘To have realised her dreams of marrying and having a family is testament to her incredible bravery, willpower and sheer strength to carry on and live through everything that life threw at her.
Nicola’s (pictured with her husband and children) bone cancer spread to her lung and liver and doctors were unable to save her, despite a successful campaign to
‘We hope to learn from that unbelievable strength at this incredibly difficult time.
‘Nicola, you now reside with the angels, with Jean & Bill at your side, where pain can no longer hinder you and where you can smile down on your beautiful family.
‘We love you with all our hearts, our beautiful friend. Rest in peace. X’
Within 17 days of being launched, the Save Nicola campaign raised more than £17,000.
In an interview at the time, Ms White said it was ‘really overwhelming how much everyone is willing to help’.
‘So many people have contacted us to say they have been really touched by my story,’ she said.
‘All I want to is be there for my kids and see them grow up.’
Nicola was awarded the Editor’s Choice award at the Llanelli Star Community Awards last year.
She left behind her husband Alex, 12-year-old son Owen and eight-year-old daughter Ava.