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. Pictured, Danielle on her 40th birthday party and engagement proposal from Brian Credit: WNS The mum-of-two had “not one tell-tale sign” she was ill prior to her seizure Credit: WNS 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. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! 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. READ MORE ON BRAIN TUMOURS 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. Most read in Health 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 and Brian planned their wedding in just 27 days after the shock diagnosis Credit: WNS Pictured, Danielle and Brian on their wedding day Credit: WNS 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 underwent a four-hour operation to remove the orange-sized tumour Credit: WNS What are the symptoms of glioblastoma and how soon do they show? Glioblastomas are the most common brain tumour in adults, while also being very aggressive and deadly. Brain Tumour Research says tumours increase pressure in the skull, causing headaches. Symptoms to look for are: Headaches Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Loss of balance Mood swings Problems speaking Problems with memory or concentration Seizures Impaired vision The symptoms can initially be quite non-specific, meaning they could be mistaken for lots of other conditions- even stress or a hangover. The brain controls so many different functions that symptoms can vary greatly depending on where in the brain the tumour is. Glioblastomas are very fast growing. Once found, experts can see them double within seven weeks. But, according to Dr Stephen Bagley, assistant professor of medicine at Penn Medicine, the first spark of glioblastoma in the brain remains something of a mystery to medical experts. One study concluded that a glioblastoma starts growing 330 days on average – almost a year – before a diagnosis. Another found that there are changes in immune function up to five years before a diagnosis, with markers in blood samples – but symptoms only occur three months prior. “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. Comment now