A 'selfless' teenager has tragically died only days after her 19th birthday from a cancerous tumour which spread to her lungs and spine. Daniela Brandao first went to the doctors last September with complaints of an excruciating sore pain that ran down her right side and had progressed to her front and back.
An emergency scan revealed she had a 10cm tumour in her liver but the teen was reassured it could be removed and would be able to live out the rest of her life as normal. It wasn't until after the surgery she received the devastating news her cancer had spread to her lungs and spine, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Daniela remained positive as she battled through her heartbreaking journey but she sadly passed away six days after turning 19 on January 17.
Her sister Jess, 22, said: "As a person, she was honestly amazing. I always think when people say these things after a death 'how true are they?' but she was just beautifully honest.
"She'd just got her A-Level results in the summer. I remember the night she found out the cancer was spreading, I was getting to ready to go out with a couple of friends and she sent me a text.
"I instantly got a call telling me not to open it because she wanted me to enjoy my night. That was the type of person she was, we would always ring each other before a night out.
"She was so selfless She would do anything for her friends and family. She was just incredibly selfless."
Jess, who lived in Sheffield when Daniela was given the diagnosis, moved back into her family home in Greasby while her sister fought the disease which spread across her body. Daniela also stayed with her sisters Kayla, 17, 14-year-olds Adriana and Jasmine, and brother James, 20.
Jess revealed Daniela's boyfriend of three years, Elliot 'stayed by her side the whole time' and visited her as much as he could in hospital. The teenager sadly passed away the day before their three-year anniversary.
Daniela's old employer at Burger Joe's where the teen worked at the time of her diagnosis has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her heartbroken family after her parents, Carlos and Marie-Claire took months off work to help care for their family.
In the fundraiser, it said: "Dani was known to many for her contagious laugh, exceptional intelligence, quick-wit, cheeky nature and beauty - both inside and out. She was and always will be loved so unconditionally by all those lucky enough to experience her light.
"Our family will be eternally grateful for the loving support from those at The Christie/ Young Lives Vs Cancer; the incredibly kind words from relatives and friends; and the genuine love everyone has given to Dani and our family recently. It has meant the world to us all."
To read more or donate, click here.
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