Trainee teacher dies after being told it was 'nothing to worry about'
A STUDENT teacher tragically died from a rare form of cancer after being told a lump on her shoulder was “nothing to worry about”.
Jenna Patel, 21, from Bolton, died on May 13, less than a year after she was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in July last year.
2
She was concerned when she discovered the lump while she was doing an internship at a primary school.
When she first visited a doctor, she was told it was “nothing to worry about.”
But after the lump started growing, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer that can cause tumors to grow in the bones or surrounding soft tissues.
After her diagnosis, Jenna received chemotherapy and participated in a clinical trial.
But the treatment eventually stopped working and the cancer spread to her lungs.
Just two weeks before her death, doctors told Jenna there was nothing more they could do.
Paying tribute to Jenna, her younger brother Liam, 17, described her as “bubbly” and said she was “always smiling”.
He told Manchester Evening News: “Jenna always made sure everyone else was doing well before herself.
“There wasn't a moment of the day when she wasn't smiling. We were very close and did everything together.”
Liam said his sister had dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was eight.
And after completing her studies at Turton High School, Jenna began a teacher training course at Edge Hill University.
But in her second year of training, she noticed a lump on the top of her shoulder.
Liam said: “She came home one day and called me.
“She said I have a little lump on my shoulder, and I told her it didn't look bad, but she needed to get it checked out.
“She went to the doctor and he said, 'It's nothing to worry about, we think it's a cyst.'
“It kept growing, so she went back. After a few more tests, we found out it was something worse.”
All she wanted was to make sure everyone around her was happy
Liam
Jenna was diagnosed with cancer last July, just months after her father went into remission following a battle with brain cancer.
Liam said Jenna remained positive despite her loved ones fearing the worst.
He said: 'She just wanted to get on with it and get it sorted.
“That was just Jenna. All she wanted to do was make sure everyone around her was happy.”
Jenna's family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Ewing's Sarcoma Research Trust, which supports families and funds research into the disease.
Nearly £6,000 has been donated so far – more than six times the original target.
Liam said: “It's nice to see how much people cared about her.
“She had so many wonderful friends and they all helped with the fundraiser.
“It's been hard, but it's fun to talk about all the memories we have of Jenna.”
Jenna's funeral will take place at 10am on Saturday at Overdale Crematorium, West Chapel, Overdale Drive.