Devastation as 20-year-old care worker is diagnosed with terminal cancer

Jade Shovlin, 20, from Roker was diagnosed on May 22 with cancer of the oesophagus, and doctors said it was incurable.

The care home worker had been told she has less than two years to live leaving her and her friends and family devastated.

Jade has said she is trying to take the heartbreaking news in her stride.

She said: “I’m just taking it on the chin, it hasn’t really sunk in for me yet.

“I feel more for my friends and family, especially by mam and boyfriend.

“I’ve just been keeping myself busy and trying not to focus on it too much.”

Keen to help her make memories with her loved ones, her friend and colleague Deanne Earl has set up a fundraiser to pay for a dream holiday for Jade.

Jade has wanted to visit Pig Beach island in the Bahamas and swim with the pigs after seeing pictures online.

She said: “It’s a weird one because I have never actually liked pigs until I saw them swimming.

“It all started when I found out about a Pig Island off the coast of Canada and then I saw pictures of Pig Beach in The Bahamas.

“If I get the chance to do it, I think I’d like to do it in The Bahamas, at least it would be warm.”

An online fundraiser has raised over £4,600 so far.

Both Jade and Deanne work as carers at Falstone Manor Care Home in Roker, although Jade has stopped working since her diagnosis.

Deanne has spoke about how popular Jade was among both staff and residents at the home.

She said: “She has been a massive miss at the home since she had to stop working.

“All of the staff and residents loved her, loads of the residents would say Jade is their favourite carer.

“She would always go out of her way to help the staff, she would even come in on her days off or drive people home, even when her own journey wouldn’t take her that way.”

Deanne has also thanked everyone who has donated to Jade so far.

She added: “I’m just so surprised at how well the fundraiser has actually done, I did not expect it in the slightest.

“I want to say a massive thank you to all who have donated so far, every little bit will help.”

Jade said she grateful for all the support she has had. “I really didn’t expect anything like this to happen,” she said.

“I really hope that I can do something with the money, it will all depend on treatment.

“Even if I don’t get to swim with pigs, it hope that I will still get to have a holiday with my whole family.

If you wish to donate to Jade’s fundraiser, you can do so by clicking here.

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