Mum with incurable cancer fears five-year-old daughter will not remember her

Tammi Morrell-Knapton , 40, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow in February.

Tammi, who married partner Nick Snaith, 45, last month, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay for treatment not available on the NHS which she hopes will give her more time with her family.

Fighting back tears, Tammi, from Pontefract, said: "For me it's huge - it's time with my daughter and husband.

"I'm scared that when Isabella grows up she doesn't remember me, because she is so young now.

"I want to make sure I spend as much time as I can with her so she has living memories as opposed to just photos of her mum.

"The thought of death doesn't scare me. I want to be around long enough for her to have real memories of me."

Tammi started chemotherapy treatment soon after she was diagnosed in February and underwent a stem cell transplant at St James's Hospital in July.

She said her life expectancy is currently around three years.

Tammi is fundraising to pay for lenalidomide maintenance therapy, which is not approved by the NHS for the stage of treatment she is at.

She said studies in the UK show the treatment, which can be self-funded at a cost of around £2,500 a month, gives patients an average 18 months longer in remission.

Tammi said: "Any support people are able to offer in helping me fundraise would be hugely appreciated as I cannot do this alone.

"The money means the world to me and my family as it gives me a fighting chance to access a treatment which is not funded under the NHS."

Tammi said she and partner Nick, who had been engaged for five years, made the decision to get married in September.

They tied the knot last month at a Covid restricted event witnessed by just two friends and the couple's daughter Isabella.

Tammi said: "Isabella was proud as punch to be a flower girl. She felt like a little princess."

Tammi, who started her policing career at Killingbeck in Leeds in 2001, spent six years working in CID at Killingbeck and Chapeltown before working in the drugs and organised crime unit.

Tammi, who is currently working from home, said: "Part of me wants to get back involved, but I can't because I have got to keep myself safe.

"If I catch Covid the chances are I'm going to die. It is difficult, I miss the crack with the team."

The fundraising campaign has raised more than £32,000 towards a £50,000 target.

To contribute, go to Tammi's JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/raisingfundsfortammi