Parents' Heartbreaking Tribute to Brave Teen Who Died After Leukaemia Battle
The devastated parents of a Hartlepool teenager who lost her courageous battle with leukaemia have described their daughter as "a gift to the world." Grace Measor, aged 19, passed away on Friday due to complications following a stem cell transplant. The kind-hearted young woman had penned letters to her family and friends to be opened upon her death, encouraging them to embrace life to the fullest and reassuring them "it's okay."
Grace's Inspiring Journey and Dreams
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2017, Grace's initial treatment proved successful. She went on to excel at school, college, and university before embarking on a career as a scientist with Johnson Matthey. Her parents, Graeme and Nichola, revealed she had dreamed of travelling the world and pursuing a career in research and development into renewables. "Basically she wanted to save the planet," said mum Nichola, 51, an occupational therapy care assistant.
Graeme, who works as a senior lecturer at Teesside University, said they watched her flourish into "an absolutely amazing woman" after previously conquering the leukaemia. "As parents, we decided at that point, that she had earned the right to do anything she wants," he explained. Grace's travels took her to Nepal, Turkey, Florida, Spain, Austria, and France, with her family emphasising they made memories, not material things.
The Return of Leukaemia and Brave Decisions
Grace was a pupil at Seaton Holy Trinity Primary School and Dyke House Academy in Hartlepool before continuing her studies at Middlesbrough College. She then secured a degree apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University. However, in December, during a journey to a national chemistry competition in Cardiff, she experienced excruciating back pain. After multiple hospital visits, tests at the RVI in Newcastle confirmed her leukaemia had returned.
The consultant advised a stem cell transplant at the Freeman Hospital. The treatment involved total body radiation and strong chemotherapy to kill the bone marrow, followed by a stem cell infusion. Knowing this would make her sterile, Grace, at just 19, bravely had one of her ovaries harvested and frozen to preserve her fertility for the future. "Her heroism was just unbelievable," Graeme, 52, recalled.
Complications and Final Moments
After the transplant, Grace developed a chest infection and rare complications that struck her body simultaneously. This resulted in a catastrophic brain injury with no prospect of recovery. The heartbreaking decision was taken by doctors to withdraw treatment. Grace passed away in the arms of her devoted parents and her 17-year-old sister, Sophie.
Her letters, written in case she did not survive, have brought enormous comfort to her family. "They are full of so much maturity for somebody so young," said Graeme. One line reads: "When you walk the dog along the seafront, I'm in the roaring of the ocean, I'm in the air that you breathe, I'm at one with nature, and it's okay." She urged her loved ones to "go and live your life for me."
Family's Message and Legacy
Graeme described Grace as brave, dogged, and determined, fighting every challenge. "She beat it but in the end the toll was just too many things. She was pure of heart and soul, kind, generous and all the best attributes you could wish to have in a human being," he said. The family wants to emphasise two key messages:
- Love your children, as you never know when life could change.
- Register for stem cell donation and give blood, as these simple acts can save lives.
Rather than cards or flowers, the family has asked well-wishers to donate to the wards at the Freeman Hospital, whose care they described as "second to none." Funds raised via a JustGiving page have already reached £7,000, which will support the hospital wards and a cancer research charity to help others in similar situations. Grace's legacy lives on through her inspiring words and the hope she brings to others battling leukaemia.
