Grief for angel who touched hearts of our readers
THE grieving husband of cancer nurse Laura Harris last night thanked thousands of Daily Express readers who helped give her extra time with her family.
Laura, who had been battling Stage 4 bowel cancer since last year, died on October 31. She would have died earlier had she not been helped to pay for a life-extending drug not available on the NHS.
Yesterday more than 500 friends, family, colleagues and patients filled St Peter and St Mary Magdalene Parish Church in her home town, Barnstaple, north Devon, for her funeral.
Her husband Paul, 44, said: “On behalf of Laura, I want to thank every single person who has sent their wishes, prayers, love and support.
“She touched so many people yet everyone she met made a mark on her life too. She took strength from everyone she ever met.”
Laura, 43, was given just three months to live when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2017.
The mother-of-three became an inspiration to millions for fighting the disease with grace and good humour, even though the drug she wanted was denied her by the NHS, her employer.
The Daily Express told her heartbreaking story earlier this year as she sought to raise £21,000 to pay for an initial cycle of Bevacizumab, a drug which is given in combination with chemotherapy.
Her inspirational story touched the hearts of Express readers and £100,000 was raised for her appeal, giving her “priceless” extra time with daughter Molly, 14, son Noah, 16, and stepson Zac, eight.
On her insistence yesterday’s service was a celebration of a life lived to the full.
Fighting back tears nurse Naomi Clatworthy from North Devon District Hospital, who cared for her during her treatment, said: “She was a colleague who became a dear friend. She had a wicked sense of humour, she was full of drama and told great stories.
“She was loud and you could hear her before you saw her.
“If you heard laughter, that’s where Laura could be found.
Kindness
“She was dramatic and we loved her for it. She made our days exciting, she couldn’t sit still. She was a breath of fresh air.”
Laura had previously worked as a model, make-up artist and lifeguard before she found her calling, as a cancer nurse. The coffin holding the rock music fan, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, was brought into church draped in the Stars and Stripes to the sound of Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen.
Her husband and friends wore T-shirts emblazoned with Team Lanky Yankee – her nickname.
The church was told her mission to help those battling cancer was the reason she got up every morning. Though seriously ill, Laura cared for patients when she herself was receiving treatment on the ward where she once worked. She came to Britain 20 years ago before qualifying as a cancer nurse in 2006.
She went on to lead the oncology service at North Devon.
Yesterday her friends revealed the hospital will now launch a scholarship in her name to inspire the next generation of cancer nurses.
As she faced death, she said: “The generosity of Daily Express readers is unbelievable. They are buying me life and giving me a chance.
“You can’t put a price tag on that. I am absolutely blown away by the kindness of strangers.”