Family tribute shines light on brave mum
THE memory of a Widnes mum who died of cancer was marked when a regional landmark was illuminated in her honour and for the first birthday of her
“miracle baby”.
Danielle Kelley, 30, and her partner Liam, 25, learned in March 2020 that she was pregnant despite Danielle having undergone chemotherapy for breast cancer, which she had been diagnosed with in
2019.
Doctors told the couple the treatment made it unlikely they would have any more children.
Danielle’s condition deteriorated in October and she was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer, prompting a dramatic move to deliver the baby early.
Four days later, Everlyn was born six weeks premature but healthy by C-section on October 16.
Liam declared her a “gift” and a “miracle baby” against the backdrop of her mother’s serious illness and the effects of chemotherapy.
In the following months Danielle developed sepsis and pneumonia and she was admitted to hospital over Christmas, and it was discovered that the condition had spread.
She died on February 27, survived by Liam, Everlyn and her two sons Alfie and George from a previous relationship.
The Mersey Gateway bridge was illuminated pink and purple in her memory.
Her mother Annemarie Jackson, 47, said the pink is for breast cancer and purple a colour “she loved”.
The date was Everlyn’s first birthday and falls only a few days before what would have been Danielle’s 31st birthday on October 19.
Halton Borough Council approved the colour change following a request from Liam’s cousin Phil Mahon.
Annemarie said: “It’s what she would have wanted us to do, to raise awareness.
“If we can get someone checked before what happened to Danielle, if it saves one or two people that’s all she ever wanted.”