The family of 12-year-old Grace Kelly have paid tribute to their ‘brave and beautiful’ daughter after she died from a brain tumour.
Grace died peacefully on Saturday 13th August, with her loving family by her side. It follows a year-long battle after she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour in August 2021 following a routine trip to Specsavers in Wigston.
Grace’s mum, Vanessa, 32, said: “Our brave and beautiful girl took on her cancer like a warrior, she never complained and always had a smile. Our perfect girl was polite, funny, brave, beautiful and smart.
“We were so lucky to have her as our daughter, and she was an amazing big sister to Marissa and Nathan. She will be missed by family and friends so much.
“All our hearts are shattered at the loss and we still can't believe she has gone. She will always be with us. We had 12 amazing years with Grace but it wasn't enough, we miss her already. I don't know how we will go on without her. Fly high our angel Grace.”
Her family has been working with us to raise awareness and Grace’s story was widely covered in regional and national media; Vanessa took part in our Jog 26.2 miles in May challenge.
Vanessa and John had also been trying to crowdfund £200,000 to go to Germany for pioneering private immunotherapy treatment which is unavailable on the NHS, and they had set up a JustGiving page.
Vanessa said: “I find it shocking and frustrating that these pioneering treatments are not available in the UK. We are shocked that the standard of care for brain tumours has been the same for the last 20 years.
“It’s so distressing knowing there’s no cure for what Grace had, but we don’t want to give up. There is such a lack of funding, and we desperately need more treatments available.”
To donate inspired by Grace’s story, please click here and share your reason as ‘Grace Kelly’.