A Cornish woman who suffered from a rare incredibly condition that led to sickness and pain whenever she tried to eat has passed away just days before life-changing surgery in Germany.
Nicolette Baker, who lived near Truro, had headed to Germany for surgery to aid her condition after a crowdfund had raised nearly £100,000 of what originally was an £80,000 target.
Nicolette had suffered from Superior Mesenteric Artery syndrome which affects 0.013% of the population. The condition went undetected as a child.
Her family thanked everyone for their kind messages of sympathy and for sharing happy memories.
Nicolette had found a clinic in Germany specialising in severe vascular compressions. The operation was set to cost over £50,000 but this figure did not include accommodation, flights, travel or medical insurance, and Nicolette would have needed to spend six weeks in Germany recovering. Sadly, just days before her operation, she passed away.
Her former teacher, James Kitto, paid tribute to Nicollete. James, along with brothers Mark and Dave Pollard organised a charity auction in Porthleven back in January to raise money for Nicolette which alone raised over £12,500: "It is absolutely heartbreaking news." He began.
"Nicolette (known as Stéphanie to her family & friends) had travelled to Germany and was so close to having the operation that could have changed her life, but it wasn’t to be.
"She was so incredibly grateful for - and amazed at - the wonderful support she received from across the world since her GoFundMe page was set up and going public with her story, with over £97,000 being raised to help her get the treatment she needed.
"She was a selfless person - the most important thing in her life was being able to help others; she regularly cooked for the homeless and spent her most recent Christmas Day at St Petroc’s homeless shelter, serving Christmas dinner to those in need, despite being so poorly herself.
"Nicolette was such a wonderful, thoughtful person - I, and I’m sure many others, will forever be inspired by her example of kindness to others and by her strength & bravery through such difficult times."
Funeral arrangements, when known, will be published on the website.
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