A MUM-of-one has lost her battle against a rare form of cancer just weeks after being accepted onto a clinical trial for a new drug.

Jessica Purser, 30, who was diagnosed with two types of blood cancer, died in hospital on Friday.

She leaves behind three-year-old daughter Darcy.

Three months ago doctors told Jessica, who grew up in Grove Road, Benfleet, but later moved to Collingwood, South Woodham Ferrers, there was nothing more they could do for her.

The NHS ruled out a stem cell transplant as her cancer was too advanced.

Jessica later become the second person in the country to be selected to try out a new drug as part of a trial being part-funded by Oxford University.

Her mum Linda Attridge, 57, said: "She battled bravely but the aggressive and rare nature of the disease meant it was a race against time to find the medication she desperately needed. She ran out of time.

"Her late diagnosis was the key, it was always going to be a long shot to find a cure in time.

“Jess was a very special person who was loved by so many people, we will all miss her desperately.

"Thank you to our family and my friends, her wonderful friends, colleagues and those who never met Jess, who gave their love and support in so many ways. She was so grateful and was aware of that love and support right to the end.”

More than £27,000 was raised towards alternative treatment in America through fundraising page Hope for Jess.

The money will now be put in a trust for Darcy.

Jesssica used early donations to buy a video camera.

She has created films which will go into a memory box for Darcy, also full of photographs, perfume, keepsakes, and letters.

Linda added: “Darcy is coping well, probably better than the rest of us, because Jess prepared her for the worst.

“She will have the memory book, and videos and letters that Jess wrote for her to open at various stages of her life.

“We will always be here for Darcy. She is all we have left of Jess now, apart from wonderful memories of the most beautiful person, inside and out.”

Jessica was originally told she had pulled a muscle.

Nine months later she was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and a tumour that spread across her chest.

Doctors at St Barts Hospital, in London, later discovered she had also developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

HUNDREDS of people have paid tribute to Jessica as fundraising efforts continue in her memory Jessica's former beautician Bryony O’Dame, 33, of Ambleside Drive, Southend, who went on to become friends with her, is holding a fundraising dinner and taking part in a weight loss challenge She originally hoped the money raised would be spent on a holiday for Jessica and her daughter Darcy.

The cash will now go into a trust for the three year-old.

Bryony said: “Jess came across as a real sweetheart and a devoted mum.

“She lived for Darcy and wanted her to have as much fun, and to make as many memories together as possible.

“She was very sweet and took everything in her stride and never complained.

“She was trying to raise awareness for other people and even when people realised that we could lose her she was still trying to help others and get their voices heard.”

The Hope for Jess black tie dinner and dance will take place at The Dining Room, in London Road, Leigh, will take place from 6.30pm on Sunday, November 29.

Tickets cost £50 per person for a three course meal and live band.

For more information, call Bryony on 07748554793.

To donate to the fund, visit www.gofundme.com/jesspurser.