An inspirational Barrowford woman, who died of brain cancer last month, has donated her brain for research.

Laura Nuttall died, aged 23, on May 22 after being diagnosed with a highly invasive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme, in 2018.

During this time she tirelessly raised awareness and campaigned for more research into cancer brain tumours.

Her mum Nicola has spoken to the Lancashire Telegraph and said Laura will continue to help others, even after her death, after donating her brain to be researched by scientists.

Nicola said: “Laura made her final contribution to the fight against glioblastoma by donating her brain to medical research.

“This is something that was quite important to her and if she had the chance to donate other organs I am sure she would have done that as well.

Lancashire Telegraph: Laura NuttallLaura Nuttall (Image: University of Manchester/PA)

“She was always very keen to improve research into brain tumours in the hope that other people won’t suffer the same consequences as our family.

“Obviously I am deeply upset that it has come to this but I am so proud of her.”

Laura, who was only given a year to live after being diagnosed aged 19, spent years completing a ‘bucket list’ which included graduating from university, meeting the Lionesses, and taking to the stage with comedian Peter Kay.

Nicola said it is nice to have those memories to look back on.

She said: “It is very nice to look back on those memories and happy times. It is difficult at the moment because everything is still very raw.

“Life is short and it is important to make the most of the time you do have and not waste it.”

Nicola said she and her family will continue to keep Laura’s legacy alive and will continue to raise awareness and funds on her Facebook page ‘Doing it for Laura’.

She said: “We will be saying goodbye to Laura before we do anything else. After that we will be thinking of ways to keep Laura’s legacy.

“We are going to be using ‘Doing It for Laura’ as the hub for fundraising and then we need to work out how best to use that going forward in order to make the maximum impact.

On the day she died, Nicola even made an appointment with the doctor to donate blood.

Nicola said: “Laura was frustrated she could no longer give blood once diagnosed with cancer, she always believed it was her duty.

“So on the day she died, I made it to my appointment because that’s exactly what she would have expected from me.

“She always thought of other people and would always put others first.”

 

 

Nicola is now encouraging anyone to consider their legacy and impact on the world.

She said: “People don’t talk about death until they are faced with something like this but we are all going to have to face it. People should have conversations about it and what they want their legacy to be.

“This is Laura’s legacy. More than 10 million people saw the post about her death – not many people can reach millions of people in their lifetime can they?

“People have messaged me saying they have been diagnosed subsequently and wouldn’t have known what to ask or look for if they hadn’t already read Laura’s story.

“We are so proud of Laura and the impact she made.”