THE family of a former dancer who died of bowel cancer have said they wouldn't have been able to get through the year without the care and support of the dedicated staff at Barnsley Hospice.
Katie Pearson died there in March, aged 36.
She had been told by doctors she was too young to have bowel cancer, but was diagnosed in 2010.
She had visited her GP for two years suffering from a bloated stomach and bleeding.
Katie's family are now coming to terms with their loss and say the staff, who became like family, did everything they possibly could for Katie and her family to make Katie's last few months easier.
Katie's mum Margaret, 75, of Gregg's Court, Stairfoot, said:"'It really surprised us, I always thought people went there to die.
"They helped us so much, I just wanted everyone to know and not be frightened.
"They did everything they could for Katie, and if every we were worried we knew we could call them no matter what time it was."