'Beautiful' mum, 31, whose 'superpower was her kindness' dies

A remarkable young mum who campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of breast cancer has died at the age of 31, prompting tributes from across Merseyside. Katie Enell, from Crosby, died on Remembrance Day, leaving behind her devastated family, including her son, Theo, nine, and her fiancé, Liam.

She found out she had breast cancer at the age of 28, and was diagnosed 'de novo', meaning her cancer was already at an advanced stage when it was discovered. Katie's heartbroken mum, Debbie, told the ECHO she was "so proud" of her daughter for "making every second count".

Debbie said: "She wouldn't let the disease rule her. She wanted to help other people and raise awareness by telling women to examine their breasts. Katie didn't have long life, but it was definitely a full life."

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According to Debbie, Katie was "always the youngest person at chemo sessions" and tried her best to educate people about getting a cancer diagnosis at a young age. "People presume that because you're young it won't happen to you, or that you'll recover from it," said Debbie, "but when younger people get cancer it can often be more aggressive."

Katie, who worked as a restaurant manager, spent much of her free time campaigning on behalf of cancer charities, including Fighting to be Heard, an organisation she helped found, which advocates for secondary breast cancer patients.

Kathryn Gordon Orr, Chair of Fighting to be Heard, told the ECHO: "Kate’s vibrant personality and zest for life shone brightly in everything she did. Kate was our baby of the charity, a joy and inspiration to all who knew her. She was pure of heart, tirelessly advocating for breast cancer patients and giving up her precious time to stand for the rights of others.

"Kate supported so many charities beyond ours, but Fighting to be Heard became her second family. She fought to be heard until the very end, and we are all devastated by her loss. Since sharing the news, the outpouring of love has been incredible - a true testament to the impact she had on everyone she met, from cancer charities and the Liverpool community to celebrities across the UK."

Writing on Instagram, Hits Radio's Leanne Campbell said in a tribute to Katie: "When I say this girl's superpower was her kindness it's an understatement. Always thinking about everyone else, her positivity was infectious and she has left her mark on all of us."

She added: "I struggle to comprehend how many lives are taken by this cruel illness. You will always be in my thoughts beautiful girl. Honoured to have known you and always ready to keep fighting in your name and memory."

In a 2022 interview with the ECHO, Katie explained how she first became concerned for her health after watching an episode of Embarrassing Bodies. She was off work at the time with back pain and found a lump in her left breast, bigger than the size of a grape, while watching the Channel 4 programme in bed one night.

Katie said she had never checked her breasts before but when she saw someone on the programme doing a breast exam she decided to follow along. She told the ECHO: "I had back pain for about six months but I put it down to coming back to work after being off on furlough, lugging heavy tables outside. I didn't have any other symptoms other than right shoulder pain."

She said she assumed she had just pulled a muscle in her shoulder, but when the pain continued to get worse she went to see her GP. Doctors initially suspected Katie was suffering from pleurisy - a condition which causes inflammation of the tissue between the lungs and ribcage - and she was signed off work for five weeks.

She was referred for further tests including a mammogram and ultrasound followed by a biopsy, which confirmed she had breast cancer. Two weeks later, the young mum was told the devastating news the cancer was stage four and had also spread to her bones and liver. Katie said: "They ask if you have any questions at the hospital - you've gone from one day being a 28 year old mum, not a care in the world, to your life is in jeopardy."

Following their daughter's death, Debbie and her husband Paul are doing their best to comfort and care for their grandson Theo, alongside Katie's fiancé, Liam. "Our main focus at the minute is looking after Theo," said Debbie. "It's a lot for him to take in and it's been so hard on him. We're trying to keep his routine as normal as possible."

They are getting support from Katie's sisters Annemarie and Aimee, as well as her nephew Thomas. To honour Katie’s memory, her family have asked donations to be made to Fighting to be Heard.