Leeds woman, 20, dies after brain tumour battle

A 20-year-old Leeds woman, whose family and friends raised over £10,000 to support her in her battle with an inoperable brain tumour, has died.
Sara Djoudi.Sara Djoudi.
Sara Djoudi.

Sara Djoudi, 20, from Potternewton was first diagnosed with the tumour when she was 14, and was successfully treated at Leeds General Infirmary and in the USA.

However, when the tumour returned last year, doctors told her there was nothing they could do, prompting friends to set up a fundraising campaign to support her through her final weeks.

Sara died in her sleep at her home on Saturday evening.

Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.
Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.
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Her heartbroken mum Angela Shortreed has paid tribute to her “amazing and inspirational daughter.”

She said: “Sara fought for so long. She loved life, and she worried about everyone else - except for herself.

“She changed so many people’s lives and she just lived her life to the full.

“Sara always had a smile on her face, and kept her sense of humour right to the end.

Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.
Sara Djoudi, the 20 year old who has died from a brain tumour.
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“She was very intellectual and a straight A student, even taking one of her A-levels from hospital.

“She was her twin brother Adam’s rock, and she was my best friend.

“My heart is broken, and a piece of our family has been taken away.

“She thought about everyone else before herself, just days before she died she bought me a bracelet for my birthday which said ‘First my mother, forever my friend’”.

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Angela thanked everyone who donated to the fund, set up by close friend Natasha O’Brien.

The money raised allowed her to stay off work to care for Sara full-time, and will also go towards Sara’s funeral expenses.

She said: “It will help me give her the best send-off. I’m overwhelmed by the support people have given, even people who didn’t know her have donated.”

The fund raised over £10,000 to support Sara in just over two weeks.

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Sara’s boyfriend Robbie Dixey, 22, said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone that donated money. God bless Sara, she was fabulous and she will always be here.”

And after news of her death broke, tributes poured in to the popular former Notre Dame college student on Facebook.

Sara’s cousin Maggie Padgett said: “What the caterpillar sees as its end, to the butterfly it’s just the beginning.

“My little cousin, I love you with all my heart. Good night until we meet again.”

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Friend Lois Magill said: “It’s been a pleasure to know you these past five years. Amazing, caring and one in a million!

“Heaven has gained another angel, taken far too young.”

Sara was a law student at Newcastle University before her health problems forced her to abandon her studies at the end of her first year.

Her funeral will be held on February 22 at Lawnswood Crematorium, and donations will be accepted for the Teenage Cancer Trust.