'Beautiful and knowledgeable' Leeds woman shares her breast cancer journey in months leading to her death

Gloria-Lyn Cruise Brahm, a devoted mother from Harehills, shared her experience with Yorkshire Cancer Research in the final weeks of her life and expressed her desire to support the charity’s work in helping to find new ways to diagnose and treat cancer.

Gloria was proactive in the community throughout her treatment from breast cancer, and volunteered at the Thackray Medical Museum after being told that the disease was incurable.

It was during this time that she met Leeds fashion designer Goodness, who created a bespoke dress for her and invited her to take part in Leeds. She also inspired a series of workshops at the museum.

Gloria sadly died in September and her story has been shared with the help of her daughter, who described her as a “beautiful and knowledgeable soul”.

“I’d always been told to look out for a round lump as a symptom of breast cancer, but this felt more like a firmness”, she said. “Other than that, I had no symptoms, but I thought it was better to get it checked out.

“When I had the scan, I suspected from the reaction of the staff that they had found something.”

Gloria was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy to remove her breast followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was already “a difficult time” for Gloria and her family, as her daughter was studying for GCSEs and she also cared for her mother, who was unwell.

Gloria said: “My focus was on making sure it didn’t affect my daughter’s studies and that I could still care for my mother.

“I also had to have another operation after they found cancer in my other breast.”

Gloria completed her treatment, but a few years later, she received the awful news that the cancer had returned, requiring further surgery and treatment. Despite struggling with difficult side effects from her new medication, she continued to work, care for her family and maintain her daily routine as much as possible. However, in February 2024, after feeling increasingly unwell, she went for a series of tests and was told her cancer was incurable.

“I was having problems with my digestion and after the treatment I was prescribed hadn’t worked, I went back for a series of tests. That’s when they realised my cancer had come back. It was stage 4 now – and they said they couldn’t cure it, only control it.”

Gloria started a new course of treatment to help manage her symptoms. Around this period, she also started working at the Thackray Medical Museum as a Learning and Education Worker, helping to bring the history of medicine to life for visitors.

It was during this time that Gloria also first met local fashion designer Goodness, who has supported many women affected by cancer by creating outfits.

Goodness said: “I’ve met many women whose cancer treatment has deeply affected them, both physically and mentally. Some have had mastectomies and are still coming to terms with the changes to their bodies. It’s sad to hear how this can knock their confidence and make them feel uncomfortable in their clothes. I want to help change that.”

Wanting to support Gloria and her daughter, Goodness designed and gifted them both a special outfit for her July fashion show at Gledhow Valley Road in Leeds. She sourced materials from the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre in Harrogate and although Gloria’s health meant she couldn’t walk in the show, she still attended wearing the outfit.

Following the event, Gloria said: “I was so touched that Goodness wanted to gift me a dress.

“The dress speaks to me so profoundly and captures my love of travel, culture, and handcrafts. The fact the items came from the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop makes it even more meaningful. I love to support charity shops as you can find so many amazing things while making a difference to others.”

Goodness said: “Knowing Gloria’s experience, choosing materials from the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre was so important to me. From the Donation Centre, I picked out earth-tone curtains, Christmas tablecloths, a white cotton top, a pillow cover, and a piece of wall art. When creating the outfit, I imagined Gloria and her daughter taking a break and spending quality time together. I wanted to create a holiday outfit that felt joyful and freeing.”

Gloria sadly passed away in September. To honour her legacy, Goodness held three creative workshops at the Thackray Medical Museum, teaching women in the local community to upcycle bras and create a space for people to share their breast cancer experiences.

Goodness said: “The purpose of these workshops was to create a safe, inclusive space where women in the local community could speak openly about their breast cancer experiences and access helpful information. I wanted to offer a hands-on activity that felt creative and empowering.

“Bras can be uncomfortable to wear after breast cancer surgery, so I’ve reworked many to remove the underwire and make them easier to wear for some women. The sessions were a reminder that life after cancer treatment can be challenging, but there are ways to make it easier. Altering bras in a fun and imaginative way is just one way to help!”

In the final session, Emily Lunn, a researcher at Hull York Medical School funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, joined the workshop to discuss her research on breast cancer screening, particularly the experiences of women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Emily said: “I know just how important it is to have conversations right in the heart of communities, and I hope those who attended feel informed about breast cancer symptoms and the importance of screening. Community-led projects like these are vital for saving lives in the future.”

Many of Gloria’s friends attended the workshop, opening up about their personal experiences with breast cancer and encouraging one another to attend screening. They also spoke about Gloria and the impact she had on so many lives.

Goodness said: “Gloria wasn’t just someone I supported - she became a friend. Her spirit, love for her daughter, and passion for helping others will always stay with me. I am grateful to have been a small part of her journey, and I will forever carry her memory in the work I do.”

Gloria’s daughter, Cara-mia, also shared the following words about her mother: “My mother was a beautiful and knowledgeable soul, and she touched the hearts of so many, even if it was just a small interaction. I hope that I can share the knowledge she passed to me and share her light.”

Gloria leaves behind a legacy of compassion and commitment to help other people in Yorkshire affected by cancer. When she was asked about why it is vital to support cancer research in Yorkshire, she said: “Cancer hasn’t just affected me, but far too many people, and we all have a role to play in helping find new ways to treat it. I believe there is nothing more satisfying than giving to a worthwhile cause. We all have a responsibility to make a difference to others.”

To find out more about cancer screening in Yorkshire, please visit: Screening for cancer - Yorkshire Cancer Research