A terminally ill young mum diagnosed with one of the rarest cancers has tragically died just weeks before her wedding day.
Gemma Mcgowan, 29, was due to get married to her partner of nine years, Steven Murie, on June 11.
Thousands of people had helped raise the cash in a heartfelt appeal to help Gemma and Steven have the wedding day of their dreams after she found out she had just months to live.
But Gemma sadly passed away on Wednesday morning.
The mum-of-one had been bravely fighting squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity - a very rare cancer which only three people in the world have been diagnosed with.
Gemma spent months undergoing gruelling treatments, including radiotherapy, immunotherapy and life-changing surgery in which surgeons had to remove her eye to try and fight her diagnosis.
She even underwent gruelling chemotherapy while pregnant with her son, Arran.
People who were touched by Gemma’s story raised almost £16,000 for her and her family to help her make as many memories as possible with the time she had left.
Renfrew-based Wedding Wishmakers also stepped in to help them plan the day of their dreams, raising almost £5,000 - with many others coming forward to offer their services to make the day a reality for them.
Posting on Facebook, Wedding Wishmakers said: “It’s with a heavy heart we are writing these words, but sadly Gemma passed away yesterday.
“Our thoughts are with Steven, Arran and to all of their friends and family at this hard time.
“If you have been following our appeal you will know that we have been raising money for their wedding.
“We have made the decision to pass this money onto Steven and the couple’s beautiful baby Arran.”
Gemma’s mum Lorraine previously spoke to the Paisley Express about her diagnosis, hailing her daughter for her “unbelievable strength and bravery”.
