Farewell to fighter Sarah

HAPPIER times . . . Sarah Swindells

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SHE was determined, brave and dignified and refused to be overwhelmed by the horrific disease which bombarded her time and time again.

But sadly even the ferocity of Sarah Swindells' relentless battle to live wasn't enough to beat her cancer demons which finally took her life last Friday.

Sarah, from Shaw, who had just turned 45, touched thousands of the hearts following her desperate appeal to fund what would be her last bastion in the fight against melanoma which devastated her life back in 2013.

She was also there as a support for other sufferers and a fierce campaigner against the dangers of tanning and sun beds which she blamed for her condition.

She fought her way through horrific life-changing and invasive surgery and countless setbacks as the cancer spread through her body. But she never gave up on the smallest chance she could survive.

Sarah spent her final weeks is Springhill Hospice, Rochdale, even then insisting she was there for respite and would be continuing her treatment at The Christie once she was strong enough.

Back in June, 2015, she launched a crowd-funding bid to raise £70,000 for the cutting-edge American treatment TILS which was her only chance of destroying the disease.

Family, friends and colleagues at Tameside Hospital ­- where she'd just been promoted to her dream job as a senior psychiatric nurse when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma ­- rallied to support her crusade, eventually raising £49,000.

She began the treatment at The Christie in August but deteriorated after tumours were found on her brain.

Melanoma UK founder Gill Nuttall, who became friends with Sarah - and was nominated by Sarah for a Pride in Oldham Award last year ­- said: "Sarah was extremely brave, and fought right until the very end.

"Her will to live was very strong and even a few days before she passed away, she was planning to come home. She did not want to leave all the people she loved. She loved life and approached every day with happiness and smiles.

"I met Sarah a couple of years ago when she asked Melanoma UK for some advice. We became immediate friends and during the last two years there wasn't a week that went by when we didn't speak or meet up. She was very supportive of our work and was always ready to speak to other patients and families. I will miss her very much."

Back in 2015, as she began her TILs funding journey Sarah told the Chronicle about facing up to her cancer bombshell.

"One minute you're this person with no cares in the world, the next your life has changed forever," she said.

Sarah's partner of 17 years, John Pogson, thanked everyone for their incredible support.

He has now closed the fundraising page but asked anyone wishing to make a donation in Sarah's memory to do so in support of Melanoma UK or Spring Hill hospice.

Sarah's funeral will be held at Oldham Crematorium, Hollinwood, next Thursday at 3pm, followed by a gathering at the Puckersley Inn, at 4pm.