Teenager dying of cancer made inspirational 'most important right now' list

Jess Fairclough, 18, from Liverpool, died in November, less than a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer

Jess Fairclough's positive outlook and kind personality has inspired family and friends to fundraise for charity in her memory (Liz Taylor/JustGiving)

An inspirational teenager dying of cancer told her family that she understood that “not everybody is meant to live a long time” and that the “secret to life” is to be happy.

Jess Fairclough, 18, from West Derby, Liverpool, died in November – less than a year after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Once aware of how unwell she was, Jess decided to make the most of her situation, adopting as positive an outlook as possible and inspiring others with her “things that are most important right now” list.

On her list, Jess noted that she wanted to focus on “being with family and friends”, “filling in my journal and recording thru film and photography” and “read and listen and talk and write and draw and make music”.

She highlighted her determination to “outweigh the bad with the good” by underlying this aim in her list.

“These make up being happy and that I believe that is the secret to life: to be happy and to make stuff and to be as good to each other as possible,” Jess’ list concluded.

The teenager’s positive approach has now inspired family friend Liz Taylor to set up a fundraising page to raise money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent by encouraging people to participate in Crossfit challenges.

On her JustGiving page for Jess, Ms Taylor says: “A beloved only child, friend to many of all ages and adored grandchild and niece, we all knew that Jessica had been a special child and was becoming a special young woman.

“But none of us, not even her gorgeous family, realised just how special until tributes and eulogies came flooding in from people whose lives she changed, helped and touched.

“When Jess was told she had days to live she said ‘not everybody is meant to live a long time. And that’s okay’.

“When asked what she wanted for a treat she asked simply for £125 to give to a homeless person because that’s what they’d need to have a good week.

“Come and join us and meet the Fairclough Challenge in her name. She would’ve for you.”

Visit Ms Taylor’s fundraising page for Jess by clicking here.