HOLLYWOOD STAR KATE’S TEARS FOR TRAGIC CANCER MUM
Star joins farewell for cancer mother who died saving her girl
HOLLYWOOD actress Kate Winslet joined hundreds of mourners to say farewell to an “inspirational” mother who had refused cancer treatment to save her unborn baby girl.
Gemma Nuttall, 29, lost her fiveyear battle against ovarian cancer last month.
The brave woman’s “rollercoaster” fight to survive confounded doctors and won the admiration of big names like Kate, who enlisted the help of her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.
The pair auctioned themselves off for three date nights to help raise £300,000 for Gemma to have immunotherapy at a German clinic.
But while Gemma was successfully treated after her daughter Penelope’s birth, the cancer eventually returned.
She died at Pendleside Hospice in Burnley on October 14.
Kate, 43, who had befriended Gemma and visited her in recent months, held a hankie to her face as she and husband Ned Rocknroll arrived at the funeral service at Accrington Cemetery chapel on Tuesday.
Determined
The actress later comforted Gemma’s mother Helen Sproates and paid a moving tribute to Gemma’s courage during the heartbreaking service.
Fighting back tears the film star said: “It is a privilege to be able to give Gemma the send-off she deserves at the end of her incredible fight.”
Gemma was first diagnosed with cancer when she was 16-weeks pregnant with Penelope, but chose to delay treatment until after she gave birth.
The money raised on her behalf allowed Gemma to travel to the Hallwang Oncology Clinic in Germany for an experimental cancer treatment, which was initially successful. But in August she was given the devastating news that her cancer had returned and spread, and there was nothing more that could be done.
Her family have now formed the Gemma Rose Foundation, so they can help others going through similar pain.
Mrs Sproates, 56, from Haslingden, Lancs, broke the news of Gemma’s death to Facebook followers, paying tribute to her “beautiful warrior”, adding: “My world will never be the same again.” She said her daughter had been extraordinarily determined: “She had so much courage and bravery. “She never once complained or broke down. From being a young, strong, fit woman that used to run for Rossendale Harriers she ended up being blind in one eye and couldn’t use her legs.
“It’s horrendous for a family to have to watch the deterioration slowly and painfully, and the drugs making her feel permanently sick. Cancer doesn’t kill people overnight, it’s a slow, horrible death.”
But Mrs Sproates said her determination to make the foundation succeed to honour Gemma, and make a difference to families like theirs, was giving her strength through her grief.
She added: “We want to raise as much money as we can so that people like Gemma – young parents who get cancer – can access the money and we can help them.
“She wanted to make a massive difference to everybody in our position and if we can do that then that’s a job well done.
“Kate is opening up a separate bank account so that people can donate to the foundation.
“For somebody like Kate to give her time up to come and support Gemma, it was very special.
“When Gemma was poorly, to get that boost is invaluable.”