Hannah Deacon, the devoted mother who played a pivotal role in legalising medical cannabis in the UK, has died following what her family described as a “short and brutal illness.” She was 45.
Deacon became a prominent advocate for medical cannabis use after fighting tirelessly to secure treatment for her son, Alfie Dingley, who suffers from a rare and severe form of epilepsy. At one point, Alfie endured hundreds of seizures a week. Her campaign led to a landmark change in British law in 2018, allowing medical cannabis to be prescribed by the NHS.
Her efforts began in earnest in March 2018, when she petitioned the UK government after discovering that Alfie’s condition significantly improved when he received cannabis-based medication in the Netherlands, where such treatment was legal, as told Daily Mail.
By 2022, Alfie, then 10, had reportedly been seizure-free for over two years due to the treatment. Deacon, who was based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, didn’t stop after achieving success for her own family. She became a national figure in the movement, working to help other families access life-changing medication through the MedCan Family Foundation, which she co-founded.
However, in March of this year, it was revealed that Hannah had been diagnosed with cancer. She stepped back from her position as chair and trustee of the foundation to focus on her health.
The MedCan Family Foundation confirmed her death in a heartfelt statement released this week.
“We are heartbroken to share that Hannah Deacon died on Tuesday, 6 May, surrounded by those who loved her, after a short and brutal illness,” the statement read. “This devastating loss to Hannah’s beloved partner Drew and children Alfie and Annie is impossible to put into words.”
The tribute continued: “Hannah was remarkable, determined, tenacious, and fiercely compassionate. Her fight to find treatment for her son Alfie’s rare and severe epilepsy led to a breakthrough that changed his life and ultimately changed the law.”
“She went on to transform the lives of thousands of patients and families, never stopping in her work to push for better access, better care, and a better understanding of medical cannabis.”
Above all, the statement emphasized Hannah’s dedication to her role as a mother.
“More than anything, Hannah’s most proud and important role was being a mum,” it added. “We only wish we could have had more time.”
Deacon leaves behind a legacy of compassion and change, remembered by many as a fearless advocate and an extraordinary woman who made a difference.
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