THE family of a brave young woman who has lost her battle with cancer today urged people to help ensure her dying wish comes true.

Debra Holden, 33, died at home in Elgar Close, Blackburn, after becoming increasingly ill over the last 14 weeks.

But today her mother and father, Jessie and John Ready, said their daughter dearly wished for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph-backed £1million SuperScan appeal to be a success.

Debra was forced to travel to St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, for the scan which originally diagnosed the growth in her womb as malignant two years ago.

In March she spoke to support moves to provide similar life-saving equipment in East Lancashire after another scan showed the tumour detected by doctors had not spread. At the time she told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "Having the scan was a little claustrophobic. But it was such a weight off my mind when it immediately showed that the tumour hadn't spread.

"Having a scanner in East Lancashire would definitely help a lot of people."

Debra died at home with husband George and children, Leighton John, ten, and Laura Jessica, three, at the weekend.

Her mother said: "She has been very brave. She had her operation two years ago and never really suffered until 14 weeks ago when she started feeling ill.

"She's been a very courageous person and decided to come home from hospital two weeks ago."

Mrs Ready says she and her daughter had already helped to raise £1,000 for the SuperScan Appeal by selling lapel badges to friends, family and work colleagues.

"Nothing will stop me from continuing to help raise money for them," she added.

A funeral service will be held at St James Church, Lower Darwen, at 2.45pm on Thursday, July 25, followed by interment at Pleasington Cemetery.

The family have requested flowers or donations to the SuperScan Appeal, c/o Terry Barber, 9 Feilden Place, Feniscowles, Blackburn.

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