My girl died at 18 and now I want to stop others suffering

Donna Sinclair has spoken out on the anniversary of Kaya-Imaani Chambers who suddenly died last year leaving her heartbroken.

We previously reported how the 18-year-old passed away after a short battle with cancer which her family believe could have been caught sooner.

Now her 57-year-old mum, from Newlands, is determined to use her grief to save lives by launching the Kaya Foundation which will fast-track medical scans.

Donna recently got the charity registered and is already offering scans for people stuck on long NHS waiting lists including one single mum who was found to have a cyst the size of a grapefruit.

Donna pictured with Kaya's friends (Image: Gordon Terris)

Donna said: “It has been a weird week for me in the lead-up to Kaya’s anniversary, it is really emotional.

“I feel like she was just in the hospital yesterday, but what has been achieved since last year is incredible.

“We have got the Kaya’s Foundation registered as an official charity now so we can help people.

“I want to make sure people get the scans they need as early as possible so they can go on to make the full recovery that Kaya couldn’t.

“The waiting lists can be very long so our charity would fast track and pay for MRI scans that can catch cancer, all we can do is try.

“One of the scans we offered found a grapefruit sized cyst on a single mum’s ovaries, we are hoping she can get support for that now.”

Kaya-Imaani Chambers battled cancer last year (Image: Sourced)

We previously reported how Kaya had developed stomach problems and a cough around February last year and went to her GP several times for help.

The promising Strathclyde University student was given antibiotics and ultrasounds which failed to help - before finally being given a blood test which raised alarm bells.

Scans then showed she had cancer which is believed to have started in her kidneys before spreading to her lungs and bones.

Kaya would have been 20 next month (Image: Sourced)

Despite the devastating diagnosis Kaya didn’t shed a single tear and went on to comfort friends and family with jokes.

Now they want to remember her fun spirit with a special birthday carnival which will mark what should have been her 20th birthday next month.

The event will take place at The Shed on Sunday, June 16 with live performances and a fashion show.

Special guests will include David Whitelaw and Lauren Spiteri, along with a DJ from 7pm.

The event is open to the public (Image: Sourced)

Donna said: “I wanted to do something age appropriate that Kaya would have enjoyed herself.

“We are going to have a fashion show and music performers so it should be a really fun night.

“Tickets are £10 and will go towards the charity, hopefully the event can help raise awareness and we can keep helping people.”