Fit and healthy mum-of-two who had ‘no signs of illness’ dies of brain tumour at 43

A HEARTBROKEN family of a mum-of-two have told of their grief after she died of a brain tumour at the age of just 43.

Danielle Camilleri, from Llandaff, Cardiff, received the shock glioblastoma diagnosis in 2023, weeks after her 40th birthday.

The fit and healthy mum was planning her wedding with her partner Brian, when she collapsed at home in front of their two children.

She suddenly dropped a spoon, lost control of her arm and fell to the floor suffering a seizure.

Danielle, who ran her own nursery in Cardiff and prior to seizure had “not one tell-tale sign” she was ill, was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales where CT and MRI scans uncovered the grade four tumour.

Tumours are graded one to four according to their behaviour, such as the speed at which they are growing.

Told she likely had just 14 months left, Danielle and Brian rushed to plan their wedding in just 27 days with 110 guests.

The pair tied the knot at Llantilio House, Monmouthshire, before Danielle underwent a four-hour operation to remove the orange-sized tumour.

Typical treatment plans for the “aggressive” tumour — which strikes around 3,000 Brits each year — sees patients have surgery before chemo and radiotherapy.

This is still the same way it was treated in the early 2000s. 

Radiotherapy is used to destroy additional tumour cells. But the cancer can double in size in just seven weeks. 

For comparison, the fastest-growing lung cancers take 14 weeks to double.

Danielle leaves behind her husband Brian and two children Charlie-Grace and Amias.

Speaking about her wedding before her death, she said: “Brian and I exchanged vows before 100 of our closest friends and family, with Charlie-Grace in a champagne blush bridesmaid dress and Amias in a page boy suit.

“It was emotional, and we danced to Here and Now by Luther Vandross, it felt so poignant.

“In spite of everything happening around us, we were husband and wife, together for always.”

In a tribute, her family said: “Danielle took her last breath peacefully in the early hours of this morning, surrounded by the love of her family.

“She fought until the very end with incredible strength, courage and grace, and we couldn’t be more proud of her.

“On behalf of Danielle’s family, thank you to every single person who has shown love, kindness, prayers and unwavering support throughout this journey.

“Your messages, donations, words of encouragement and acts of compassion have meant more than words could ever express.

“Danielle’s strength touched so many lives, and she will be deeply loved and forever missed.

“Rest peacefully, our beautiful Danielle.”

Average survival time for glioblastoma is between 12 and 18 months, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.

Only 5 per cent of patients survive five years, it says.

The disease killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018.

In March 2022, The Wanted singer Tom Parker also died following an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma.