‘Truly wonderful’ mum-of-two, 31, dies with family by her side after developing complication after hospital treatment
A YOUNG mum battling a rare form of cancer passed away surrounded by loved ones after suffering complications from treatment.
Devon Leigh, 31, described as "truly wonderful" by her loved ones, was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just 29.
The mum-of-two passed away on June 4, 2024, having suffered infections and complications following a stem cell transplant to treat her cancer.
Devon developed graft versus host disease (GvHD), a potentially serious condition that sometimes occurs after transplants, where donated cells attack the body's own cells.
A inquest into her death - held at Manchester Coroners' Court on January 14 and attended by - found that the treatment had contributed to her death.
Assistant coroner Zak Golombeck, who conducted the inquest, said: "I have considered the evidence in this case and taken into account the helpful correspondence from the family.
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"It was the stem cell transplantation, which is an unnatural disease process.
"Devon died from recognised complications of necessary medical treatment."
Mr Golombeck the mum's loved ones who were present at court: "I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all of you for your loss and for those condolences to be extended to all the family who are not present today."
Devon, a nursery room leader, was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February of 2022, reported.
This is a rare type of cancer that affects white blood cells in the bone marrow, causing tiredness, pale skin, fever, bruising and recurring infections.
The mum attended a GP appointment before immediately being admitted to hospital for blood tests and receiving a shocking diagnosis.
John told Manchester Evening News: "We were apart from each other for the first month, with only FaceTime available to see or speak to the girls myself and the family.
"After six weeks, Devon returned home very weak and poorly but her leukaemia had gone, so we all rallied around her and, slowly but surely, she returned to herself."
In September last year Devon, from Hyde, was readmitted back into hospital due to health "complications" from the transplant, John said.
She spent nine months battling a number of infections and had three stays on the Intensive Care Unit, beating the odds each despite medics warning her family she might not pull through.
But the mum tragically caught another infection and passed away in hospital on June 4, surrounded by her loved ones.
The inquest found Devon's cause of death was post-transplant thrombotic angiopathy, Graft vs Host Disease and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
It found that "recurrent infections" were an underlying factor.
Mr Golombeck said: "Inquests can't look at every twist and turn of a patient's journey through hospital.
"I have to focus on matters which have caused or contributed to her death. Those matters aren't related to the medical cause of death."
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Paying tribute to his partner, John said: "Devon was a truly wonderful person with a loving nature and an infectious personality.
"She was a doting mother and partner who lit up every room she walked into."