Swindon dancer who died from rare cancer honoured with national award

Abby Daniels was named Fundraiser of the Year at Sarcoma UK’s Shining Star Awards, held in London on November 2.

She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in 2020, shortly after graduating in musical theatre from the University of Chichester.

Over the next six years, she underwent multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Despite her diagnosis, Abby continued to perform and teach dance and musical theatre to young people in Portsmouth.

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She and her friends and family raised more than £20,000 for Sarcoma UK through a series of creative fundraising projects.

In May, she organised, choreographed, hosted, and performed in a concert called Raise the Curtain at Barn Studio Theatre in Portsmouth.

The concert, which celebrated her life, brought together friends, family, fellow performers, and even some of the medical professionals who cared for her.

Abby was determined the show would go ahead and recorded her songs from a hospice as a contingency, but ultimately performed and introduced each song herself.

She also wrote a song, The Puzzle, reflecting on how cancer had disrupted her life, as well as a book, The Better Gender, which was published just hours before she died on July 9, aged 26.

All proceeds from the song and book continue to support Sarcoma UK.

Her mother, Patricia Daniels, accepted the award on her behalf.

Patricia said: "Abby was kind, she was inspiring, she was everything.

"She would have been totally embarrassed to receive this award and would have said, ‘I am just Abby, what's all the fuss about?’

"And just Abby was always, and will always be, enough.

"She left me a letter and said the world will keep spinning and I want you to keep spinning with it, Mummy, I want you to try and raise awareness of this disease, sarcoma.

"Hopefully, we will get better treatments and a cure. We must find a cure.

"I will strive for the rest of my life to do that for my Abby.

"I miss you."

Louisa Morgan, head of public fundraising at Sarcoma UK, said the charity was honoured to recognise Ms Daniels’ contribution.

She said: "Abby's creativity, generosity and sheer determination shone through everything she did for Sarcoma UK.

"Raise The Curtain was a joyful celebration of her life.

"Her song and book will keep her message reaching new people, and the public vote shows just how many were moved by her story."