A talented professional boxer has tragically died at the age of 25, merely months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Georgia O’Connor, a professional boxer, has been mourned by the sports community following her passing due to cancer, which she stated was initially overlooked by medical professionals.
O’Connor, who began her professional boxing career in 2021, faced Ester Konecna in October of that year, securing a victory on the undercard of the Chris Eubank Jr. vs Wanik Awdijan event, where Eubank Jr. emerged victorious.
She continued her winning streak in April 2022 by defeating Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez from Argentina.
The English boxer concluded her brief, undefeated career in October 2022 with a win against Belgium’s Joyce Van Ee, marking her third victory.
Georgia O’Connor, hailing from Durham, England, was a celebrated amateur boxer for Team GB. She captured gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017.
Her accolades include being a five-time National and Commonwealth Champion, as well as earning medals at the World and European championships twice.
After turning professional, she secured victory in all three of her bouts.
Outside the ring, she was passionate about music and shared her guitar and singing talents in a video on Instagram in 2023.
On May 9, she tied the knot with her partner. Sadly, less than two weeks later, she passed away on May 22.
Georgia publicly shared her cancer diagnosis on Instagram on January 31, critiquing the UK’s NHS, or National Health Service, for its shortcomings.
She wrote: “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.
“For 17 weeks since the start of October, I’ve been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong. I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks.
“I have colitis and PSC [Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, which is a liver disease], two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it,” she continued.
O’Connor explained how her pre-existing health conditions placed her at a ‘high risk’ for cancer, but claimed doctors disregarded her concerns.
“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’.”
Heartbreakingly, she revealed that her cancer had metastasized and that blood clots were discovered in her lungs.
“And now? Now the cancer has spread. And if that wasn’t enough, throughout this whole time there’s been BLOOD CLOTS all over my lungs. That ALONE could have killed me instantly.”
Describing the NHS as a ‘broken system’, she lamented: “They could have done something before it got to this stage. But they didn’t. Because this is the state of the NHS – a broken system that fails young people like me over and over again.
“A system that makes people suffer, that sends them home in agony, that lets cancer spread whilst the thick, stupid, mindless ‘doctors’ shrug their shoulders.”
Despite the dire situation, she pledged to fight the disease.
“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?
“I’m young, I’m fit and I am stronger than they’ll ever f***ing understand. Mentally. Physically. Every single way. I’m still smiling and that smile will NEVER fade, no matter what.
“We’ve already got an amazing oncologist on my case and we’ve made sure I’m going to have the best treatment and healing possible. Starting NOW.
“F*** the doctors who failed me. F*** the system that let this happen. And when I beat this like I’ve beat everything that’s tried to end me before, they’re all going to get what’s f***ing coming to them.”
Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can significantly raise the likelihood of developing cancer.
According to the NHS website: “Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine (bowel) and the rectum is the end of the bowel where poo is stored.
“Small ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining, and can bleed and produce pus.”
Regarding its progression to cancer, the NHS elaborates: “People who have ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer (cancer of the colon, rectum or bowel), especially if the condition is severe or involves most of the colon.
“The longer you have ulcerative colitis, the greater the risk. People with ulcerative colitis are often unaware they have bowel cancer as the initial symptoms of this type of cancer are similar.”
A spokesperson for the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provided a statement to UNILAD, saying: “We are very sorry to hear the news about Georgia’s death and offer our sincere condolences to the family.
“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.”
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.