Liberty York, a 19-year-old from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, died from angiosarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in areas such as muscle and fat. Initial symptoms appeared in May 2024 when she experienced unusual fatigue and nausea. Given that she had been diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune condition, the family initially considered the possibility that the two conditions might be connected.
When Liberty developed swelling and pain in her left breast, the family consulted their general practitioner. The doctor initially suspected mastitis due to redness and pain in the area. After antibiotics proved ineffective, medical professionals considered the possibility of an abscess. Eventually, medical staff suggested hormonal factors might be responsible, a theory the family was told was common among teenagers on the cancer ward. By the time surgical intervention occurred, the swelling had developed into a tumour weighing 10lb (4.5kg). Subsequent scans revealed the cancer had spread to her lungs within six weeks of the operation.
Liberty died on 1 June 2025, two days after her 19th birthday. Her mother, Hannah York, has since become involved with raising awareness about the disease. She is supporting the Child Cancer Smart campaign, which is being led by CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association. The organization has launched new guidelines for healthcare professionals aimed at improving the recognition of soft tissue sarcomas in children and young people. According to the charity, these cancers represent approximately 7% of childhood cancers, though diagnosis is frequently delayed because symptoms can resemble more common medical conditions.
Hannah has described her daughter as a determined and kind person who remained strong throughout her illness. She expressed that while an earlier diagnosis may not have been able to save Liberty’s life, it could have provided better treatment options. Hannah emphasized the importance of early detection and increased research funding for rare cancers like the one that affected her daughter.
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