Mum given less than a year to live after taking Mounjaro jab scare leads to diagnosis
Dawn Clegg, 51, started experiencing the pain in late March this year after using the injections, which aided her diabetes management.
However, a series of X-rays at the hospital revealed shadows on her lungs, kidneys, and breast, leading to a diagnosis of a soft-tissue cancer known as sarcoma.
She was informed that the tumours on her breast and kidney were benign, but the one on her lungs was a sarcoma, accounting for merely one per cent of all cancers.
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With over 100 known sarcomas, doctors have yet to pinpoint Dawn's specific type, leaving her without a viable treatment option.
Her devastated spouse, Arron Clegg, also 51, is now planning a 'living wake' in November to honour his wife, who has been given less than a year to live due to Britain's rarest cancer.
Arron shared: "She went to Lancaster Hospital A&E at the end of March with chest pains, which she thought were a side effect of Mounjaro, which she was taking to help with her diabetes.
"X-rays showed shadows on the lung, kidney and breast.
"We were devastated on hearing news of cancer in 3 areas - there is no cure and she is now terminal.
"The wake will mean she can spend quality time with friends and family whilst still alive rather than after the funeral that way she can see how much people care about her."
Dawn had been using Mounjaro weight loss injections to manage her diabetes but started experiencing chest tightness, which she initially thought was a side effect.
In late March, Dawn sought answers for her chest discomfort at Lancaster Hospital A&E.
She underwent several X-rays that detected shadows on her lungs, breasts, and kidney.
However, the following day, Dawn was "called back" to the hospital where they disclosed that the shadows were malignant.
Further tests indicated that the breast cancer was benign and the kidney issue was minor.
Yet, she received the "devastating" diagnosis that the lung cancer was sarcoma.
Sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that forms in the body's connective tissues, such as bone, cartilage, tendons, fat, and muscle.
Arron shared: "The doctors don't even know what type of sarcoma it is four months later.
"Sarcoma accounts for 1% of known cancers and with over 100 sarcomas, pinpointing the correct treatment is incredibly challenging.
"She is now terminal and there is a high chance she won't make her 52nd birthday next year."
Dawn commenced chemotherapy at Clatterbridge in Liverpool, but Arron has been informed "there is more chance of it not working then slowing it down".
Following Dawn's grim prognosis, Arron is keen to arrange a 'living wake' – a celebration of her life with loved ones while she can still be part of it.
Arron is planning to gather roughly 100 of his wife's nearest and dearest for one last cherished evening together.
Arron shared: "Dawn means the world to me.
"We went to school together and started dating after we found each other years later and have been married nearly 10 years.
"Dawn is an amazing person; not very patient and yet with this illness she has surprised us both with her patience whilst they tried to find a treatment.
"She is the best person I ever knew and the wake will mean the world to her."
In due course, Dawn's farewell will continue with a service at Lancaster and Morecambe Crematorium, where she will be peacefully laid to rest beside her beloved daughter Isobel, who tragically passed away during childbirth.
Dawn, who works as a receptionist at Bay Medical Group, is also a proud mother to George, her 19 year old son who is currently pursuing film production at university in Leeds.
Arron has since initiated a crowdfunding effort to cover the expenses of the wake and funeral, scheduled for November 29, 2025.
Supporters can contribute to Arron's fundraising online here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-the-best-person-i-ever-knew-my-wife-dawn-clegg.
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