Heartbreak as 'selfless' Stockton mum of two loses cancer battle aged just 30

Teesside has been mourning the loss of a local mum with "unbelievable strength" who succumbed to her cancer battle. Isabelle 'Izzy' Collins, aged 30, was diagnosed with cancer after what was initially thought to be back pain turned out to be numerous tumours on her spine.

Despite her valiant fight, Izzy tragically passed away on Monday, November 18, surrounded by her loved ones. Her family released a statement saying: "In the early hours of this morning, Isabelle lost her battle with cancer. Isabelle passed peacefully with her loving family and friends by her side."

They continued: "Isabelle will forever live on in our hearts and thoughts. Isabelle will continue to shine every day through the eyes of her girls, Kaiya and Violet." The family also requested privacy during their time of grief and indicated that details regarding Isabelle's funeral arrangements would be announced in due course, reports Teesside Live.

Josh Collins, Isabelle's brother, spoke to Teesside Live about his sister's remarkable resilience and how her story had resonated with many. The 36-year-old Yarm resident is reaching out to the community to help fulfil one of Izzy's final wishes.

He said: "My sister wished to have a steel drummer at her funeral," but noted the difficulty in finding one, as "they seem quite rare". The family was unaware of Isabelle's wish for a steel drummer, highlighting the unusual nature of the request.

Isabelle, a former employee at healthcare company LineIn, was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine tumours - a rare form of cancer affecting hormone-releasing cells across various organs in the body. The devoted mother to 10 year old Kaiya and one year old Violet initially attributed her back pain to routine activities like lifting, even changing her mattress in the hope it was the culprit.

But after a blood test, she was urgently directed to care where she was hit with the harrowing diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. Despite undergoing treatment, the cancer progressed, leaving her and her family grappling with the news that her condition was incurable.

"At first we were optimistic, we thought she could fight it," her brother Josh recounted. "Then we were being told there was nothing else they could do."

Isabelle's best friends, Nieve Woodhouse, 24, and Emily Woodhouse, 29, launched a fundraising campaign in May to help ease the financial burden on the family. Nieve described the situation: "Izzie has numerous tumours on her spine which are dangerously close to her spinal cord. Unfortunately for our beautiful best friend, it has spread from her pancreas to the bone - which has thrown the specialists."

"She has been in excruciating pain and over the past few months has shown unbelievable strength and positivity. She is the most kind-hearted, caring, selfless, thoughtful, generous person you will ever meet, who is now facing the toughest fight of her life. If we can help at this time to make it any less stressful then we will. We will fight this battle with her and do anything and everything we possibly can to help."

Isabelle spent her final days at Hartlepool's Alice House Hospice, making memories with her daughters. Josh expressed his gratitude, saying: "Everyone has been fantastic" and specifically praised the staff at Alice House and Kids First Nursery in Ingleby Barwick.

Josh revealed that he and his wife, Nicola, hadn't planned on having children but have agreed to become guardians for Kaiya and Violet. He said: "When she asked us we said straight away we would do it. She is my sister and they are my nieces, we would say yes 10 times over.

"We will do our best. She said turning 30 was supposed to be the best year of her life, but has turned out to be the worst."

Anyone who can assist in fulfilling Isabelle's wish for a steel drummer is encouraged to leave a comment below or contact Josh Collins directly.