Cancer sufferer, 24, dies days after marrying partner in hospital

A 24-year-old cancer sufferer who married his partner in hospital last week has died.

Jack Tate, from Weeting, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2016, married his partner of four years, Keyleigh Jonas, in Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s chapel last Friday.

His family said he passed away yesterday at around 6pm.

Jack got on one knee and proposed to his bride-to-be in London in June 2017, during a mini break that was set up by the charity, Steph’s Wishes, which creates ‘memory days’ for young people with recurring or terminal cancer.

The wedding was going to be in August this year but, due to Jack’s health, the wedding was organised in a couple of days with the help of Jack’s mum and dad and Keyleigh’s mum and step dad.

Speaking to the Bury Free Press on Monday about their wedding, Keyleigh, from Brandon, said: “It was a really good day, considering the difficult circumstances. It was a wonderful event and something that I feel brings us together forever.

Obviously I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart that helped let us have this chance.

“It is a massively different wedding than most but it is something everyone can cherish. We cherish every moment, that is what makes it even more special for us and it is nice that Jack and I got to experience it.”

The couple, of Lakenheath, also had their reception in a function room at the hospital and Keyleigh thanked the hospital staff for their help.

She said she was slowly getting used to her new surname.

“It is still a little weird, I do find myself looking around when people talk to me using it.” Keyleigh said.

“But getting married has made us feel complete, even though we have been together for so long and it does not change us, it is just a lovely thing.”

Jack went through failed chemotherapy, drugs and illness since he was first diagnosed and had been in Addenbrooke’s for two weeks.