Omokoroa school loses much-loved teacher to cancer

Bay teacher Leanne Thompson has lost her long battle with cancer. PHOTO/FILE

A much loved and respected Bay teacher has died after a long and difficult battle with cancer.

Leanne Thompson passed away on Saturday in her sleep with close family and friends by her side.

On Facebook, Omokoroa No. 1 School wrote it had received news of her death.

"Yesterday, we received the devastating news that our much loved friend, workmate and teacher, Leanne Thompson had lost her long, brave battle with cancer.

"Leanne was 8 [sic] days into treatment for her second bone marrow transplant. She had fought several battles with leukaemia and breast cancer over 10 years.

"Leanne was a highly respected and very treasured member of our teaching staff for 14 years. Teaching was her passion and her goal was to make it back to teach at our school once more.

"We are devastated with this news and our thoughts are with her soulmate Gavin and their families," it read.

Last year, The Bay of Plenty Times interviewed Mrs Thompson as she and her husband Gavin fought to fundraise enough money to send her to Melbourne for a new new immunotherapy drug, Blincyto.

The pair needed to raise $145,000 to afford the trip. Her students at the time, Room 14 of Omokoroa No. 1 School, colleagues and friends helped raise $43,000 for their beloved teacher.

She had the treatment in Melbourne between April and September last year.

At the time she was battling her third episode of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 10 years after first being diagnosed when she was 26.