"SHE was the bravest person I ever met – an absolute inspiration to me and everyone she knew."
These were the words of Emma Norris as she talked about her sister, 17-year-old Shannon Davis, who sadly lost her two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer on November 14.
Emma, 29, said: "She was one of the most caring and loving people I have ever met and even when she knew that the cancer was terminal, she was still determined to make the most of what time she had left."
As reported, Shannon, from Immingham, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2010 when she was just 15 years old and underwent numerous courses of chemotherapy – but nothing worked.
However, Shannon became the first at Leeds General Infirmary to test a pioneering new drug known as Cloud and within five days, she was in remission.
"When Shannon was first diagnosed, she was scared and suddenly, her life was going to hospital for treatment rather than doing the things other teenagers did," said Emma.
"It was a shock for the whole family but when she got better, things started to get back to normal – my mum went back to work and Shannon even went back to college."
Unfortunately, six months ago, Shannon and her family were informed that the disease had returned and that this time, she would not recover.
However, Shannon decided to make the most of what time she had left and spent that time enjoying her life.
The family took a holiday together at Butlins, in Ingoldmells; Shannon spent a weekend in the Lake District and sailed off the coast of the Isle of White with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
She even had her 18th birthday party early – Shannon would have turned 18 on December 1 – while she was still well enough to enjoy it with friends and family.
Emma added: "She was a typical teenager, she liked music, going to the cinema and she had a really rebellious streak.
"We don't want to paint her as perfect because she could be trouble with a capital 'T' – but who can't at that age?
"Even when she was ill, it never stopped her doing the things that she wanted to do – but we loved her for it.
"Faults aside, she would do anything for anyone and was a very loving, affectionate and funny person. Even at 17, she would still make sure she told her mum that she loved her and gave her a kiss before she went to bed every night."
Shannon's funeral will take place at Grimsby Crematorium on Wednesday, from 1.40pm.
Donations can be made to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Visit www.leukaem ialymphomaresearch.org.uk
