A young woman who had years ahead of her, and dreams to become a primary school teacher after graduating from university has passed away.
Jenna Patel died at the age of 21 from an aggressive form of cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma, which affects bones or the tissue around bones.
In the spring of 2021, she was outside gardening with her mum and brother when she noticed a lump on her shoulder.
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She thought it was likely an insect bite, but to be on the safe side booked an appointment with her GP to get it checked out.
The doctor initially thought that it might be a cyst but booked Jenna in for an ultrasound but the results came back as inconclusive.
She was placed on a waiting list for an MRI and went about her days on placement at a primary school. As time went on, the lump grew at a rapid pace and in July she was sent for tests at The Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Jenna went with her mum, Priti, and sat in the corridor looking at posters for sarcoma when the devastating prospect dawned on them that she might have cancer.
Jenna was then diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at the same time that her dad Manish was receiving treatment for lung cancer at The Christie hospital, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Jenna was sent to the same hospital as her dad and placed on an immediate course of chemotherapy, which involved daily treatment and coming home in the evening with the chemotherapy drugs attached to her.
Manish and Jenna were getting treatment at the same time, and while she was making good progress with her treatment in the autumn, doctors told her she would be in full recovery by March 2022.
She was advised that she would be able to return to university to complete her final year in October, but once she stopped chemo - and was due to have a break in treatment before starting radiotherapy - the tumour began to grow again.
She was sent for more scans and plans for radiotherapy needed to be halted as she was referred to the specialist Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
She underwent surgery just weeks before Christmas to remove the tumour but brave Jenna was warned she might lose her arm depending on its size.
The surgery went well, but the tumour which was removed was much bigger than anyone had expected.
As Jenna prepared for her 21st birthday early last year, she began to experience breathing difficulties and was sent for even more scans.
These scans revealed the devastating news that the cancer had spread and was now in her lungs.
Despite the bad news, Jenna kept smiling and enjoyed her special birthday, but as she was still recovering from such major surgery, chemotherapy needed to be delayed.
Jenna then faced more chemotherapy which was looking like it was working initially, but it was followed by it becoming ineffective each time until by April last year.
She and her family were given the news that her cancer was terminal and there were no more treatment options.
She planned her entire funeral insisting mourners weren’t allowed to be sad or wear black and even asked for Stormzy to be played.
Jenna also wanted her friends and family to enjoy a party afterward and to focus on the happiness they had shared with her.
Jenna died at home on May 13, 2022.
Her family is now backing a Cancer Research UK campaign to help give hope to future generations this World Cancer Day (Saturday, February 4).
Jenna’s mum Priti, her dad Manish and younger brother Liam are urging people across the North West to give regularly to the charity to help fund long-term research projects that could drive new breakthroughs.
Life-saving cancer treatments are made possible by months and months of trialling, testing, and learning, but progress in this research is only possible with monthly donations.
The family are keen to keep Jenna’s memory alive.
They have been busy fundraising for cancer charities, including raising more than £6000 (€6,800) for Cancer Research UK after taking part in the night-time Shine walk in Manchester last autumn.
Priti, 49, said: “Throughout absolutely everything, Jenna never ever stopped smiling and that’s what people always think of; her beautiful smile. When we were told she had cancer, I felt numb.
"The news was too much to take in knowing that her dad was only a few miles up the road also going through cancer treatment. Jenna remained so positive and determined that she inspired us all. Her death has left a huge hole in our lives and we miss her very deeply.
“But she wanted Liam to have an amazing career and go into medical research to make a difference. And we want to keep her memory alive to help others and raise as much money as we can to get rid of such a horrible disease”.
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