Danielle Gwyer, a 35-year-old mother of three from Cramlington, Northumberland, who publicly urged women to attend cervical screening after being diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer, has died. She passed away on June 13 at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, six days after admitting herself when she realised her body was shutting down.
Hospital Wedding and Final Days
While in hospital, Danielle married her partner of 17 years, Gareth Gwyer, 39. The couple had planned a wedding on June 19 organised by the charity Gift of a Wedding, but brought the ceremony forward. Gareth, Danielle's brother Lee Green, 38, and their son Kenzie, 16, will now wear their wedding suits to her funeral. Gareth will take the children to what would have been their honeymoon at Butlins.
Gareth said: "It was me and Danielle against the world with our kids. I look at my ring now everyday and I hold it, it's a comfort to me to know that I made her my wife." He added: "I'm absolutely totally gutted, lost and distraught. I thought I would be supporting the kids but in fact it's the other way around, they are supporting me."
Delayed Smear Test and Diagnosis
Danielle, also mother to Kadie, 14, and Darcie, 11, had previously postponed cervical screening due to embarrassment. She had only one smear test before her diagnosis. In February, when she struggled with breathing, medics discovered cervical cancer that had spread to other organs. Her own mother, Margaret Green, died of breast cancer at age 47 in 1998, when Danielle was seven.
In April, Danielle shared her story with ChronicleLive, urging women to attend smear tests. She said: "I have had one smear test before, I kept putting them off. I thought it was embarrassing and I thought to myself I'll book it tomorrow. When I was told I had cervical cancer my first instinct was to say why didn't I go for that test?"
Final Moments and Family Support
Danielle became unwell at a family barbecue on June 7 and told Gareth her body was shutting down. She admitted herself to hospital the next day. Gareth recalled: "She turned around and said 'Gareth my body is starting to shut down' - she knew." The couple married in hospital, and Danielle's first act was to change her surname on Facebook. Gareth said: "Even with the circumstances, that's what she wanted to do. She wanted to be a part of me."
Danielle's family, including her brother Lee, stayed with her constantly. Gareth said she waited until they all left the room to pass away. He noted: "Our youngest daughter Darcie had told her 'You can go to sleep now, you can be out of pain' on a video call half an hour before she passed. I think she heard the bairn's voice and heard the telly and felt comfortable." The couple had previously lost a daughter, Kacey, born prematurely at 26 weeks in 2011.
Health Journey and Awareness Impact
Danielle initially had irregular periods and was told she might be starting early menopause. In November last year, she developed a chest infection and was diagnosed with heart failure and pneumonia. By February, a chest X-ray revealed nodules on her liver, and a full pelvic scan showed cervical cancer that had spread. She did not undergo chemotherapy, as she was frightened and felt she would not be strong enough.
Gareth said: "Danielle was never a talker and for her to gain confidence to speak about her story and raise awareness was just amazing. It brought her comfort that she was able to help people." He added that some people encouraged by Danielle's story have found abnormal cells and sought further treatment. According to the NHS, cervical cancer symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding, changes to discharge, pain during sex, and lower back or pelvic pain.
