Commonwealth Games shooter Sarah Wright dies after getting green light for cancer trial
Written by News on 31/05/2020
A former England Commonwealth Games shooter given special permission to fly to the US for a cancer drug trial has died before she could start the treatment.
Sarah Wright, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which later spread to her liver and lungs, in 2018.
She had exhausted all treatments available through the NHS and subsequently began seeking treatment options overseas.
She was accepted to take part in a drug trial last month and given permission to go to the US, despite its ban on travellers from Europe due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mrs Wright was going to be treated with a drug called leronlimab and its manufacturer, CytoDyn, said it had offered to pay the couple’s travel expenses.
A biopsy showed she had a high chance of it being effective.
However, her husband Mark said she died before she was able to take part in the trial, after her health “took a nosedive”.
The couple had last year celebrated the arrival of their baby daughter, Everleigh.
Posting on Facebook, Mr Wright said: “It is with the heaviest heart that I tell you our beautiful Sarah passed away yesterday morning [26 May] at 11am after her health took a nose dive over the weekend, she passed peacefully, pain free and with me, Lauren and her Dad at her side.
“She fought so so hard all the way, she was the bravest most courageous, strong, loving and wonderful wife, mother, daughter and sister. Everleigh and I miss her greatly, there is a big void in our lives now.
“Thank you all so much for supporting our campaign, time wasn’t on our side in the end and we were so close to getting Sarah on Leronlimab. Take care xx.”
Hundreds of tributes have been left underneath Mr Wright’s post offering him and his family condolences.
One said: “Oh so sorry and sad to hear this. Your beautiful little girl will have her very own guardian angel looking after her throughout her life. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.”
Mrs Wright, from Ashford, Kent, took part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games under her maiden name of Sarah Gray.
She came fourth in the Women’s Shooting Skeet.
(c) Sky News 2020: Commonwealth Games shooter Sarah Wright dies after getting green light for cancer trial
