A professional boxer has died at just 25 after claiming doctors 'dismissed' her cancer symptoms for months.
Georgia O'Connor from Durham, UK, was a decorated Team GB amateur boxer at junior level, going on to win gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017.
The rising star revealed just in January this year that she had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer that was tragically terminal.
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Revealing her diagnosis on Instagram, she wrote at the time: "There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer.
"Now that’s out the way, it’s time to expose the absolute incompetent RATS that have allowed this to happen."
O'Connor stated she was in 'constant pain' for 17 weeks and made several trips to hospital and doctor's appointments.
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She said she knew 'something was seriously wrong' and that she was already considered a cancer-risk due to her colitis and PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis).
"But not one doctor f***ing listened to me," she continued. "Not one doctor took me seriously. Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony."
"Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen. One even told me that it’s 'all in my head.'"
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The youngster made the heartbreaking admission that not only had her cancer spread but doctors found potentially fatal blood clots in her lungs.
She continued to rant about the shortcomings of the NHS, adding: "They could have done something before it got to this stage."
"They can say it’s terminal all they want. They can tell me I’m going to die. But after taking 17, SEVENTEEN weeks to even figure out what was wrong with me, why the f*** should I believe them?"
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Celebrating her 25th birthday a month later, O'Connor revealed in a space of a few months she had suffered a miscarriage and was diagnosed with incurable cancer.
"I have what people consider the worst disease known to man, but I’m still able to smile, laugh and be myself," she penned.
O'Connor then tied the knot with her partner, Adriano, just two weeks ago, writing in her final post on Instagram: "09.05.2025. The day I married the love of my life."
Responding to the devastating news, a spokesperson for the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued the following statement: “We are very sorry to hear the news about Georgia’s death and offer our sincere condolences to the family.
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“We appreciate this a very difficult time, but when and if the family want to raise any concerns with us, we’d urge them to get in touch.”
Tributes have since been flooding in for the star, including from her former promoter, Ben Shalom's Boxxer, who wrote: "We are heartbroken by the passing of Georgia O'Connor. A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon," reports BBC.
"Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time."
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World champion Ellie Scotney, who was a buddy of O'Connor for a decade, described her as the 'most beautiful human.'
"I was so blessed with not just a friend for 10 years, but a sister for life," Scotney said.
"Even when life was on a timer, you never let anything dim that light of yours. A smile that never ever fades, and a heart that will forever live on in so many ways.
"There was nothing you couldn't do, the world at your very feet no matter what room you entered."
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England Boxing also said O'Connor was a 'gifted boxer' and 'beloved member of the amateur boxing community.'
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Liv Bridge