Gracie Nuttall has bravely shared her experience of losing her sister, Laura, and how it feels like losing not just a sibling but also a future. Laura initially thought her symptoms were just “freshers’ flu,” but in 2018, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite being given a prognosis of only 12 months to live, Laura underwent surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and managed to graduate with an impressive 2:1 in politics, philosophy, and economics (PPE) last summer. However, Laura sadly passed away at the age of 23 last month. Gracie, who is 21 years old, struggled to accept the loss of her older sister, especially since Laura constantly defied medical expectations. Gracie describes feeling a significant void in her life and realizing that her future plans with her sister have been abruptly taken away.
Brain tumors are a major cause of cancer-related deaths in both children and adults under 40 in the UK. Over 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumors each year, and nearly 5,000 people lose their lives to the disease annually. There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors identified by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, only 12% of adults survive for five years after diagnosis, with the disease reducing life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the highest among all cancers. Common symptoms of brain tumors in adults include persistent headaches, fatigue, seizures, nausea, memory issues, vision problems, cognitive changes, speech difficulties, and loss of taste and smell.
Gracie spoke with BBC Newsbeat and expressed how hope can be a double-edged sword when dealing with a loved one’s illness. She admits that she held on to hope until the very end and never believed that Laura would pass away. The little things, like seeing Laura’s bedroom light turned off or coming across something funny online that she can no longer share with her sister, serve as painful reminders of the void left behind. Gracie struggles to come to terms with the fact that Laura is gone, feeling as though not just her sister but also a piece of her future has been snatched away. Gracie herself was only 16 years old and starting her A-Levels when Laura received her cancer diagnosis, causing a terrifying and challenging time for the entire family.
Now, Gracie has completed her degree in film production from the University of Salford, achieving a 2:1. She has been known as “Laura’s sister” for the past five years, and people frequently inquire about her sister’s well-being. During challenging times, their mother, Nicola, found it difficult to divide her attention between both daughters. Nicola, who goes by the Twitter handle @s**tscaredmum, expressed her devastation over losing Laura and paid tribute to her fierce and tenacious daughter.
The Nuttall family, along with Laura, embarked on a campaign to raise funds for her treatment and raise awareness about glioblastoma. They collaborated with charities like Our Brain Bank and The Brain Tumour Trust. In 2021, semi-retired Peter Kay joined their efforts by hosting a Q&A session on glioblastoma in honor of Laura. Despite the challenges, Laura managed to fulfill several items on her bucket list since her diagnosis in 2018.
In a heartfelt letter, Laura shared her life lessons with Year 6 students at Barrowford Primary School. She emphasized the importance of resilience, not allowing others to limit one’s abilities, learning to ask for help when needed, seeking happiness, and trusting in the kindness of others. Laura’s life may not have gone according to plan, but she made the best of her situation by embracing opportunities and living life to the fullest.
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