A mum who hoped to mark her 50th birthday by raising £20,000 for research into her rare form of cancer has died.

But Yasemin Thompson's family plan to continue fundraising in memory of the Canterbury hospital worker, who is remembered as "strong and brave" and "known for her kindness".

Yasemin, from Canterbury, was diagnosed with choroidal melanoma in 2012 and it was successfully treated, but in January a routine check-up revealed it had spread to her liver.

The mum, who worked at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, had set a goal of raising £20,000 for OcuMel UK, a charity funding research into the eye cancer.

Yasemin - who described her own life as “truly vibrant and blessed” - said raising money for research was a way to thank those who had cared for her, and to leave a legacy that would help people overcome the disease in future.

She sadly died shortly after her 50th birthday, on August 7, having raised almost half of her goal.

But her husband, David, and daughter, Yeliz, have left her online fundraising page open as her legacy and plan to continue with her goal of raising £20,000 for research.

David said: “Yasemin had a huge appetite for life and was well loved by the many she came in contact with.

“I have been so lucky to share part of my life with her and have many treasured memories of our time together at home and whilst travelling around the world vacationing and watching football and international sports events.

“She was strong and brave and will be deeply missed.”

Yasemin started in the outpatient booking office at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in 2013, becoming senior training co-ordinator before joining the Head and Neck care group as partial booking co-ordinator for ophthalmology last October.

Nicola Lindsey, acting general manager for dermatology and ophthalmology, said: “Yasemin was full of enthusiasm and passionate about making improvements.

“She created 'how to' guides as she learnt and she willingly shared her knowledge and coached others.

“Yasemin wasn’t afraid of putting herself forward and asking how we can make things work better for the patients.

“She was well known for her kindness, her work ethic and her positivity. Yasemin will be greatly missed by her colleagues in the Trust but particularly in ophthalmology and outpatients.”

Outside work, Yasemin was a keen cook and enjoyed hosting people at her home or for social events, particularly at Canterbury Rugby Club.

She loved to travel and had worked in the airline industry for British Airways and Royal Jordanian before joining the NHS.

To donate in Yasemin’s memory visit the Yasemin's Legacy Gofundme page.

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