‘Brilliant’ brave campaigner, 28, dies after five-year battle with cancer

Loving wife and inspiring campaigner Chloe Ward, described as a "ball of positivity and fun," has died of cancer at just 28 years old.

Chloe, who leaves behind her husband Shane, was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2015, but was declared cancer-free the next year.

Tragically, the cancer returned a few years later, and at the beginning of 2021 doctors told Chloe there was nothing more they could do for her.

Paying tribute to his wife, Shane told GrimsbyLive: "She lit up a room as soon as she walked in. She was just so full of life and had this energy around her.

"She could find a positive in everything. She has completely changed the way I think about life."

He said she died surrounded by her family, which was exactly how she wanted to spend her final moments.

Chloe first complained of stomach problems at just 23 years old, but after several trips to the GP, doctors couldn't diagnose her.

Eventually she went to A&E for tests before learning the devastating news that she had the rare, aggressive cancer that attacks white blood cells.

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Chloe's life changed in an instant as she began several rounds of gruelling chemotherapy. She also took steroid tablets and had a blood transfusion.

After eight months of intense treatment, doctors told Chloe the treatment wasn't working and she may only have months to live.

But a bone marrow transfusion gave her a lifeline and she defied doctors' expectations to beat the illness.

Chloe met Shane the following year and the pair were quickly besotted with each other.

But their bliss was short-lived when months later, Chloe received the shattering news the cancer had returned.

Shane said: "It was a huge blow but I knew we had to make the most of what time we had.

"I proposed two days after she was diagnosed again. She said yes and she planned a full wedding in two weeks which was incredible.

"She didn’t go for a small event either – this was the whole thing with all the extended family and a big party, it was absolutely brilliant."

While battling the cruel illness for a second time, Chloe raised awareness of ALL in her community and gave speeches about her experience.

She was even invited to speak at Parliament but was too ill to attend.

Shane said: "She had this ability to talk to anyone, it didn’t matter who you were or where you came from or how old you were. She just had an infectious personality.

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"She was just this brilliant ball of positivity and fun. She even planned her own funeral and was due to meet up with the celebrant to do a walk-through.

"She was glad that she could see it and make some of the decisions herself."

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