Woman, 24, dies of cancer holding boyfriend’s hand despite being told condition was curable
A YOUNG woman has died of cancer holding her boyfriend’s hand, despite being told less than a year ago that her condition was curable.
Demi Morrison, 24, slipped away holding the hand of her boyfriend, Andrew Charleston, who had promised to stay by her side through her illness.
Her loyal beau had refused to leave her side in her final days, determined to keep his promise until the very end.
The 24-year-old said: “Demi was the love of my life, my whole world and more.”
“We were basically together 24/7 until yesterday when god took my beautiful princess away from me,” he said.
“It has broken me but I kept my promise to her to hold her hand until the very end and that’s what I did.
“She took her last breath while I held her right hand and gently touching her head I told her to not give up yet.
“But she could fight anymore. She had fought and fought and proved every doctor in the 14 days we spent in the hospital wrong. She is one in a million – I could never love anyone like I love Demi and that love will never die.”
The pair had attended Benfield School school together, in Newcastle, and had kept in touch over the years since.
Their relationship transitioned from a friendship, into more, after Andrew returned home from a night out to find Demi waiting for him.
They had been inseparable ever since.
Demi had been told by doctors less than a year ago that her cancer may be curable.
But on Wednesday, just days after being told she still had months to live, she died.
According to reports from tributes have poured in from friends and family members.
Lauren Bruce, a childhood friend who grew up with Demi in , remembers camping together as children.
She said Demi’s loss has robbed the world of a “special little lady”.
“You were the funniest girl I’d ever met, the life and soul of the party – little cheeky Demi Morrison,” wrote Lauren.
“You fought for so long.. I hope you’re at peace now beautiful.”
Lauren had recently to help cover funeral costs.
Demi’s cancer had started with a sarcoma in her leg – which was initially missed while she was living in Scotland.
It was diagnosed upon her return to the North East, and doctors operated on it, hoping she could beat it.
But in a cruel blow, she was told – just three days before Christmas – that it was terminal.
She was initially told she had between two and five years left, but this was shortened to months just days ago, after doctors found the cancer had spread and ravaged her body.
Natalie Graham also paid tribute to her “beautiful best friend”.
“I will never forget the memories spent with you all these years, the tears, the parties, the fall outs and the laughs we spent together,” she said.
“The ‘cheeky Demi from Byker’, how could anyone not love you. You were amazing. “
Demi and Andrew were said to have only just moved into a Heaton flat together.
Demi’s sister, Natasha Morrison, said: “I don’t know what I’m ever going to do without you here, you were my life, my soul and my little best friend.
“I hope you are at peace now and all the pain has gone away. It’s not forever, it is just goodbye until we meet again. “
Friends have vowed to rally around Andrew, and were all banding together to help make Demi’s funeral, which she planned during her final months, the occasion she had wanted.
Her last wish was reportedly to be taken to the service on a horse and carriage, with mourners dressed in pink.
The song she wants played is Dancing in the Sky.
