An inspirational young Scots mum who "lit up the room" has lost her battle with cancer after dedicating her life to helping others fight the disease. Sarah McCann, who was a lead advanced nurse practitioner for active oncology at the Beatson, sadly died surrounded by her loving family this week.
The 35-year-old was diagnosed with incurable cervical cancer earlier this year and her condition rapidly deteriorated. Mum-of-two Sarah was first diagnosed with the disease in 2018 and had a radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat the disease.
Despite having been in remission and regular checkups coming back clear, the Paisley mum discovered a new lump in her neck in March. Following several tests, it was confirmed her cancer had returned.
But the daunting diagnosis did not phase Sarah and she was determined to remain positive as she made drastic lifestyle changes. Speaking to the Record in June, Sarah told of her hopes to inspire others battling cancer by documenting her journey on Instagram. The mum to Marc, 10, and Emily, four, vowed to live life on her terms and not cancer's.
Sarah's best friend Amanda Collins, 35, has now paid tribute to the force of nature and said one of her last wishes was to set up at charity to help children whose parent or family member had been diagnosed with cancer. It is a wish Amanda and Sarah's family hope to fulfil in her name.
Amanda, from Clydebank, said: "Sarah's death is a big loss in everyones life, even to people who didn't know her. She was captivating, she had such a presence and she inspired people. She always had time to help.
"People were really rooting for her and it is clear from the messages on her Instagram page how much of an impact she had on people who didn't even know her. Even they could see how inspiring and strong a person she was. She lit up the room and people instantly fell in love with her.
"My thoughts are with her dad, brothers, Marc and Emily. Christmas was her favourite time of year with the kids and it is tragic she never got to spend a last Christmas with them."
Amanda met Sarah 10 years ago while they were working in an intensive care unit. They pair instantly clicked and became "two peas in a pod".
Inseparable since, it was Amanda who Sarah asked to help her with her Instagram page @sadieican. Sarah told her she wanted to set up the page so anything she was going through could help to inspire others.
Amanda said: "I'll never shut down the page as it is full of memories of her. She was so young to have a c**p diagnosis but right until the very end, she was inspiring people.
"If in five or ten years that page gives a bit of strength or hope to someone, then that is what she would have wanted. If you could take an ounce of her strength or an ounce of her personality, then you will go far in life."
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