Kira was a hardworking chef, a devoted daughter and sister, and a wonderful mother to three beautiful girls. She was just 26 years old when she passed away following her journey with malignant Giant Cell Tumour of the Bone.
While her diagnosis is much rarer than non-cancerous Giant Cell Tumours, Kira's father, Paul wanted to share Kira’s heartbreaking story to help raise awareness and to encourage younger speak to speak to their GP who have persistent and unexplained pain.
She loved life, and lived life to the full
Before and even during her illness, Kira was known by her loved ones as a social butterfly. Her teenage years came with its challenges, as they often do, but she grew into a hardworking young woman with a personality that everyone around her loved.
She first trained as a paralegal, but her passion ultimately led her to the kitchen, and she became a chef in a local restaurant. She loved all her colleagues who became her close friends after long nights and evenings spent working.
Kira had big dreams. She wanted to travel to New York, she adored cars, wanting to own her own Ford ST, and she loved spontaneous trips to the beach with friends. She also had two dogs she cherished, and a close circle of friends who meant the world to her.
When her own mum battled cancer, Kira dropped everything to be by her side. That was the kind of person she was - selfless and fiercely loyal to those she loved.
She put on a brave face, but we could tell she was in pain
For many months, Kira struggled with niggling pain that got increasingly painful which eventually kept her awake at night. Her dad, Paul, repeatedly encouraged her to see a doctor, and in June 2023 she finally went.
At first, Kira was dismissed was told to try physiotherapy and lose some weight to help manage her symptoms. But the pain was so severe she couldn’t complete the exercises.
On the 25th of August 2023, an X-ray and MRI revealed that her hip had fractured because of a tumour.
With it being unclear what type of tumour it was, a biopsy followed, and despite tests in August and a biopsy in September, it wasn’t until November that the full diagnosis was shared with Kira and her family. Kira was diagnosed with malignant giant cell tumour of the bone with extensive bone and lung metastases. The news was unexpectedly delivered over the phone and then a Zoom call took place shortly after. She was told nothing could be done and she was placed into a palliative care plan as the cancer was simply too advanced.
Kira was heartbroken and rightfully angry with the news, and the pain was only magnified as she and her family received very little emotional support during this. Unsurprising, the shock and trauma of the diagnosis weighed heavily on Kira and her family trying to navigate the diagnosis alone.
It was so hard watching her go through that, she was only 26
As the disease progressed, Kira went from using crutches to needing a wheelchair. The hospital created a custom wheelchair for her, but the pressure from the tumour made it too uncomfortable to sit for long periods.
She began palliative chemotherapy, with a plan for six cycles. But during her third cycle, her white blood cells dropped too low and she had to endure 11 blood transfusions. They attempted to give her doxorubicin, what Paul referred to as the “red devil” but it became clear the treatment wasn’t helping, so chemo was stopped, and Kira returned to her family home with her parents by her side.
At home, her parents cared for her and Paul managed her PICC lines through some training he received from St John’s ambulance. The hospital provided a bed, but it wasn’t big enough, making everything even more difficult. Still, Paul and her mother did everything they could to keep her comfortable.
Kira refused hospice care for as long as she could as she wasn’t ready to accept that level of care. Macmillan nurses and other professionals tried to encourage hospice care, and Paul was left in a distressing position trying to honour her wishes, whilst also doing what was best for her care and wellbeing
She didn't want to die
The day before she died, Kira was in immense pain. Health care professionals again recommended hospice care to try make her more comfortable. Kira protested against this, which was very painful for her family to witness, and Paul made the very difficult decision for Kira to be moved to a hospice.
Kira was given some medicine to help ease her pain whilst being moved to the hospice. The day after, on Friday the 31st of May 2024, Kira sadly passed away.She was immensely loved by her family, friends and colleagues.
Kira’s impact on the people around her was undeniable and her funeral was attended by a community of friends, colleagues, and loved ones.
A message from a father
I think young people today think they’re "supermen and supergirls", they think they’re invincible and they don't bother going to the doctors. We see it all the time, youngsters get leg pain, they leave it and leave it, and by then it’s too late.
My only goal now is to get the awareness out there. If your child or anyone you know has persistent pain, don't let them ignore it. We just want people to know the signs, so another family doesn't have to go through this
We all miss her so much and I hope that her story will help someone to listen to their body and their symptoms if something doesn’t feel right.
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