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A young woman who died after years of battling a brain tumour has helped others by donating her organs.
Hundreds of people have been paying tribute to brave Becky Toms, of Holcombe Road, Chatham, who was 22.
Becky’s wish was to be an organ donor and after her death her parents, Mike and Pauline, were told she would not be able to donate her major organs because she had undergone chemotherapy.
But they later found out Becky could help in other ways. Her skin will help burns victims, while her bones will help those with bone cancer and she also donated her heart valves.
Pauline, 50, said: “Becky so badly wanted to be an organ donor so we were very upset at first when we were told they couldn’t take her organs.
“Becky would be thrilled to know how many people she has helped. I’m very proud of her.”
Becky was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was eight. The former Glencoe Junior School pupil had three major operations and radiotherapy but doctors were unable to remove all of the tumour.
Becky spent a year in hospital and had to learn to walk again. She was left with double vision and her balance was affected. She had scans every six months to check the remaining part of the tumour was not growing.
But her mum said she just got on with her life. She said: “She never let it affect her.”
Becky, the youngest of four siblings, went on to St John Fisher Secondary School and MidKent College where she studied drama. She was a member of Spotlites Youth Theatre and The Brook Youth Theatre.
Pauline said: “Her big love was drama. She wasn’t loud or a drama queen but she was funny. She had the most infectious laugh.”
Becky went on many trips organised by children’s charities and every year attended the Over The Wall Camp for seriously ill children where she enjoyed climbing, horse riding and other activities.
Mike, 57, said: “Becky was fearless. She would have a go at anything.”
When Becky was 19, she woke up one morning complaining of a headache.
A few hours later she was rushed to casualty and then King’s College Hospital in London after suffering a stroke and later a massive brain haemorrhage.
A year later, doctors discovered Becky’s tumour had become malignant and she had to endure a year of chemotherapy. Her balance was badly affected and she had to use a wheelchair to go out.
Becky was due to start radiotherapy last month but her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She died on Friday, September 27.
Since Becky’s death, hundreds of tributes have been left on her Facebook page and her name was trending on Twitter at the weekend.
People said what an inspirational person Becky was and how she helped so many people and how courageous she was.
Mike said: “Becky helped so many people. She was part of the Teens Unite charity group and chatted to others online. They helped her and she helped them. She was an inspiration to many.”
Pauline said: “We have been overwhelmed with all the comments. She touched so many lives. I don’t think she knew how many.”
Becky’s funeral will take place at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, at 2.20pm on Wednesday.
Becky's family are asking for donations to two of her favourite charities instead of flowers at her funeral.
Pauline said: “We are raising money for Teens Unite which gave Becky so many wonderful days out and so much support.
“We are also raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust which runs the ward at The Royal Marsden where Becky was.”
