Donna Hadfield was living in South Africa with her wife Steph Berry when she was diagnosed with cancer in her lung, pancreas and liver. It later spread to her brain and abdomen.
Her best friend, businesswoman Sam Lee who raised more than £9,000 from well wishers on Go Fund Me, flew out to South Africa with Donna’s mum, Veronica, after the 51-year-old became too ill to fly.
She later posted on social media: “We got to South Africa, just as Donna was being brought home from the hospital as she wanted. We sat beside her at home and we spent the next 14 hours talking to her, reading out people’s messages, keeping in contact with her brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles back home and we know she heard every word. She was tired but she was with us. And she was in no pain.”
Sam added: “She took her last breath and she slipped away. I can’t begin to go through the stories we have shared in the past 40 years of friendship, but I feel at peace that she’s out of pain and she took her last sleep knowing how massively loved she was. Thank you all for everything.”
Donna’s wife Steph said: “Donna fought so hard through everything, and we faced it all together. Even when things got hectic, even when her body was fighting on, she was still Donna. And I think anyone who knew her will understand exactly what that means. We had so much more we wanted to do. So many plans, so many ordinary days that suddenly became the most precious things in the world.”
She added: “We wanted to get Donna home to her Mam and her family in England, but plans had to change. And on Friday morning, Mam and Sam finally made it here to South Africa. We all got to spend the day together, the four of us with Bella, and it was just right. I’m so grateful we had that time. Through all of this fight, the love and support we’ve received has been incredible. Every message, every kind word, and every person who has thought of us has meant more than I can say. You’ve reminded us how many people care, and I’ll never forget that kindness.”
