A Cornish woman who suffered from a rare syndrome that left her unable to eat or drink has died hours before undergoing life-saving surgery in Germany.
Stéphanie Nicolette Baker, 36, weighed only 20kgs after a lifetime of suffering from an incredibly rare syndrome called Superior Mesenteric Artery syndrome (SMAS), which caused eating to become “excruciatingly painful” and left her starving her body.
While she was receiving palliative care at her home in Truro, Nicolette, as she was known to her friends, launched a fundraiser for a life-saving operation in Germany. Her emotional story spread around the world and incredibly raised almost £100,000 towards it.
It was due to go ahead this week.
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Sadly, she has now passed away in Germany while waiting for her operation.
Many friends and supporters of Nicolette have been left devastated by the news as only this month she remained full of hope for the future.
Her former school teacher James Kitto, who helped run a charity auction along with former pupil and classmate of Nicolette, Mark Pollard, said they had all been left shocked by the news.
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James said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking news. Nicolette had travelled to Germany and was so close to having the operation that could have changed her life, but it wasn’t to be.
“She was so incredibly grateful for - and amazed at - the amazing support she received from across the world since her GoFundMe page was set up and her interview with CornwallLive was shared, with over £97,000 being raised to help her get the treatment she needed.
“She was a selfless person. The most important thing in her life was being able to help others.
“She regularly cooked for the homeless and spent her most recent Christmas Day at St Petrocs (homeless shelter) serving Christmas dinner to those in need, despite being so poorly herself."
He added: “Nicolette was such a wonderful, thoughtful person. I, and I’m sure many others, will forever be inspired by her example of kindness to others and by her strength and her bravery.”
Nicolette's family said: "We would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of sympathy and for sharing their lovely memories of Nicolette."
Mark added: “Perhaps it’s a small condolence that she knew that she had literally thousands of people behind her and supporting her and that she died trying, despite having resigned herself to death previously. I never thought she’d die though - hope is a wonderful, dangerous thing to have sometimes.”
Despite her life threatening condition Nicolette remained hopeful and joyful and continued to help others. She was volunteering for a local soup kitchen at Christmas and in a local charity shop a few weeks ago.
Mark added: “When you think she’s had such rotten luck. She was amazing.”
CornwallLive first featured Nicolette’s story earlier this year and as a result her fundraiser exploded, with huge donations pouring in from Cornwall and countries all around the world. Nicolette received several donations of more than £1,000 and a series of events were organised here in Cornwall to raise the vital cash.
At the time, Nicolette said the money raised would not just be helping her but would also go towards improving the lives of others afflicted by her condition.
As her original £50,000 target was smashed, then her second target of £80,000 was also met, she thanked her supporters, saying: “The result of the surgery is not guaranteed but this is my last chance to reclaim my quality of life.
“Any unspent donations following my surgery, recovery and aftercare will be used to make a difference to the lives of others on our planet. Because the difference you have made to mine just by giving me this chance has been indefinable.”
Tributes and condolences have been pouring in since the news of Nicolette’s tragic death started filtering through.
Jemima Eddy, said: “Oh no this is so desperately sad. What a wonderful kind and selfless person, with a heart full of love to give. Nicolette has inspired so many, I’m so sorry.”
Karen Gronwalt added: “I am so very sorry to hear this. My condolences are with all of her family and friends at this sad time. A massive thank you to all the people who pulled together so quickly and organised the much needed funds to give Nicolette a chance of a new life. Sadly it wasn’t to be, but the kindness shown was incredible and is something I’m sure her family will never forget.”
Amanda Bradley, echoed the words, adding: “This is heartbreaking. Nicolette fought so hard and with such dignity. She was always acting with such kindness despite her own battles.”
Sally Cole added: "Oh no , so very sad to hear this , well done Mark and James for giving her hope and a chance of recovery, also for helping her raising awareness of this dreadful condition and the fight many people have to go through every day , that so many of us take for granted. Much love to Nicolette's family."
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2022-02-25 11:13:24Z
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