Tributes paid as '˜lovely Louise' loses brave battle

A young woman from Bashall Eaves has died after a short but brave battle with a rare form of ovarian cancer.
Louise Hartley. (s)Louise Hartley. (s)
Louise Hartley. (s)

Louise Hartley (24) was a journalist at the Farmers Guardian, a keen member of Clitheroe Young Farmers and a driving force within the farming community.

Initially diagnosed with a germ-cell tumour in February of this year, Louise and her family were told that the prognosis was good and that the cancer was treatable. Bad news followed though in March, when, after more tests, the family were given the devastating news that her tumour was the extremely rare Small Cell Cancer of the Ovary Hypercalcaemic Type.

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With the cancer seemingly immune to most types of chemotherapy, Louise’s sister Bridget researched available treatment and came across immunotherapy, designed to boost the body’s natural defences to fight the cancer, using substances either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function. Not available on the NHS, the family received the further blow that each treatment would cost thousands of pounds to fund.

Friends, family and colleagues immediately rallied, with many fund-raising activities taking place, including a sponsored “On the Moove” walk led by Lancashire Young Farmers, which saw them walk from Clitheroe to Blackpool Tower.

Louise’s condition sadly deteriorated in the following weeks, but managing visits with her many friends, she was, said her family, brave enough to be able to comfort others when she herself was in pain. She died at the Christie Hospital on Friday morning surrounded by her loving and very proud family.

l A private family funeral will take place this week, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow on Thursday, July 21st at 6-30 pm at Clitheroe Parish Church and afterwards at Stirk House. All are welocme to attend and the family request that no-one wears black.