An Edge Hill University student died after thinking a lump on her shoulder was just an "insect bite".
Jenna Patel had been gardening with her family when she noticed the lump. She assumed it was an insect bite but decided to get it checked out to be on the safe side.
But when the results of her ultrasound proved inconclusive, she was placed on a waiting list for an MRI. In the meantime, the lump on her shoulder continued to grow very quickly.
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Just weeks after initially finding the lump, Jenna was then diagnosed as having a rare cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma. Her diagnosis came while her dad, Manish, was at The Christie hospital receiving treatment for lung cancer, the MEN reports.
Jenna was referred to The Christie and was placed on chemotherapy at the same time as her dad. As she was making good progress, doctors told Jenna she would be in full recovery and she assumed she would be back at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk to complete her final year of studies the following October.
Tragically, once Jenna stopped chemotherapy and was due to have a break in treatment before starting radiotherapy, the tumour once again grew very aggressively. Jenna, from Bolton, was referred to the specialist Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and underwent surgery just weeks before Christmas to remove the tumour.
The surgery went well but as Jenna prepared for her 21st birthday early last year, she began to experience breathing difficulties and was sent for yet more scans. Devastatingly, the scans revealed the cancer had spread and was now in her lungs.
In 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 tragically died at home on May 13, 2022. Jenna’s mum Priti, her dad Manish and younger brother Liam are now urging people across the North West to give regularly to Cancer Research to help fund long term research projects that could drive new breakthroughs.
The family are keen to keep Jenna’s memory alive and have been busy fundraising for cancer charities, including raising more than £6,000 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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