‘I will remember her inspiration, her fight’

A young woman has lost her battle with melanoma despite a last-ditch attempt to save her life.

Holly Devine, who battled cancer for half of her 26 years, passed away in Auckland on Friday.

Friends and family say she never gave up on life: she even found love in her final months. She began a relationship with Dan Watkins, who helped her through the eight months before her death.

‘‘He supported her, loved her and didn’t leave her side,’’ said best friend Renee Ball.

Her final diagnosis was Stage 4 malignant melanoma.

She flew back and forth to Australia between November and March to receive Keytruda cancer treatment – the drug at the centre of a political row over funding.

Devine received Keytruda treatment as part of a government trial, but it was not successful for her.

Ball said Devine’s one regret was the lengthy process to access the drugs, delaying her treatment.

Devine was constantly searching out new treatments. Determined to have a lastshot at survival at a cancer clinic in Thailand, Ball set up a Givealittle page which raised $72,500 to fund treatments in Bangkok.

Devine’s determined spirit was evident in her final Facebook post to her supporters.

‘‘If it’s worth it don’t give up. Keep fighting to reach your goal,’’ she wrote the day before she died.

Devine touched so many lives and her heart was open to everyone she met, Ball said. ‘‘I will remember her inspiration, her determination, her fight and her stubbornness.’’

It was that stubbornness that helped Devine each time the cancer returned.

‘‘She was one of those miracle cases you read about. She fought it so many times and would not let anyone tell her she would die.’’

Devine’s three recurrences of aggressive cancer resulted in numerous surgeries, grafts, radiation and remission treatments.

Her mother Julie Bell, father John Devine and brother Travis Devine said they would remember her courage, bravery and inspiration.

Devine received her first cancer diagnosis at 13 years old. She went into remission but the cancer returned four years later. Once again she beat it and enjoyed a six-year remission.

However, a sore ear while travelling in Europe would be the first sign her enemy had returned. The cancer had wrapped itself around her ear canal.

Eight months later, in 2013, and she heard the devastating news the tumours were in her lungs, liver and stomach.

The Givealittle money raised will be used for Devine’s funeral, with the remaining money being donated in her name.

Devine’s funeral will be held at North Shore Golf Club on Wednesday. The public are welcome to attend.

If it’s worth it don’t give up. Keep fighting to reach your goal. Holly Devine wrote this the day before she died