Ashley Cain reveals the £1.6 million raised for late daughter Azaylia’s cancer treatment will be used to give her a ‘magical’ funeral and to set up a children’s charity in her name
- Azaylia lost her fight after bravely battling acute myeloid leukaemia on April 24 aged eight months
- On Saturday, the grieving father, 30, shared an update on the GoFundMe which was originally set up to help pay for Azaylia’s treatment
- Ashley wrote in his post: ‘That money can sadly no longer be used to help Azaylia but we want to make sure it is used positively – and in Azaylia’s name’
- Ashley and Safiyya’s daughter underwent four rounds of chemotherapy in her battle against the disease
- Last month, they took Azyalia home after doctors revealed there was no further treatments available
- For help and support caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, please contact Together for Short Lives on 0808 8088 100 or visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Ashley Cain has revealed the £1.6 million raised for his late daughter Azaylia’s cancer treatment will now be used for her funeral and to set up a children’s charity.
On Saturday, the grieving father, 30, shared an update on the GoFundMe which was originally set up to help pay for Azaylia’s treatment that was only available in Singapore, and reached their goal of £1million in less than 24 hours.
Fans have now pushed the sum over £1.6million, with over 115,400 people donating after she tragically passed away from acute myeloid leukaemia on April 24 aged eight months.
Good cause: Ashley Cain revealed on Saturday the £1.6m raised for late daughter Azaylia’s cancer treatment will be used for funeral and to set up a children’s charity in her name
Ashley wrote in the heartbreaking post: ‘To all our amazing supporters, we want to send our heartfelt thank yous to everyone who donated money, made and sent gifts, commented, prayed and showered our family with love and strength during the toughest days of our lives.
‘Azaylia joined the angels in heaven on Saturday 24th April after the most courageous battle with AML.
‘She showed her heart, strength and determination every step of the way and we are so so proud of her.
‘During her short life on earth side she brought the world together, she claimed a community – her very own pride – who made amazing things happen.
Support: The GoFundMewas originally set up to help pay for Azaylia’s treatment which was only available in Singapore, and reached their goal of £1million in less than 24 hours
Donations: Fans have now pushed the sum over £1.6million, with over 115,400 people donating after she tragically passed away from acute myeloid leukaemia on April 24 aged eight months
Moving: Ashley wrote in the heartbreaking post: ‘That money can sadly no longer be used to help Azaylia but we want to make sure it is used positively – and in Azaylia’s name’
‘The world lit up. The world talked about childhood cancer. The world showed its heart. And YOU helped to make all of that happen.’
He emotionally went on: ‘The amount of money needed for Azaylia’s potential treatment in Singapore was raised in just 24 hours.
‘That money can sadly no longer be used to help Azaylia but we want to make sure it is used positively – and in Azaylia’s name.
Helping others: Ashley said Azaylia ‘has guided us throughout this process and it only feels right that we continue to use the platform we built together to help those in similar situations’
‘After days of emotional yet careful consideration we have decided that, firstly, we would like to use some to give Azaylia a magical and deserving send off – something that we believe you would all want to be a part of.
‘Secondly, we will use the remaining money to help other children through a new charity we are setting up in Azaylia’s name.
‘She has guided us throughout this process and it only feels right that we continue to use the platform we built together to help those in similar situations.’
So sad: On Friday, Ashley shared his pain at the thought of having to plan his daughter Azaylia’s funeral, following her tragic death
Ashley added: ‘What we saw during our time fighting this monster has changed us forever and we will spend the rest of our lives spreading Azaylia’s message of hope and strength to all those who need it.
‘We will ensure she lives on until the day we are able to hold her again in paradise. We hope you will all continue to support us and keep our Likkle Lion Azaylia’s name in your hearts and thoughts forever.
‘Together we can make a positive difference to the world and fight Childhood Cancer. #LetsGoChamp’
Difficult: Ashley took to Instagram stories where he admitted ‘nothing could ever have prepared me for this’ as he made plans to bury his brave little girl
Ashley and his partner Safiyya Vorajee had originally planned to travel to Singapore with Azaylia after the funds were raised but were later told she could not be treated as her cancer was so rare and doctors had discovered tumours in her body.
On Friday, Ashley shared his pain at the thought of having to plan his daughter Azaylia’s funeral, following her tragic death.
The former Ex On The Beach star took to Instagram stories where he admitted ‘nothing could ever have prepared me for this’ as he made plans to bury his brave little girl.
Meanwhile, his partner Safiyya, 35, took to her own Instagram to say she’s ‘forever proud’ of baby Azaylia after she received Pride Of Britain honour.
Devastating: Ashley’s latest post could be the most heartbreaking yet as he revealed that ‘making decisions’ about Azaylia’s funeral ‘is enough to bring me to my knees’
Both Ashley and Safiyya have been documenting their pain on social media since Azaylia lost her battle with leukaemia in April.
And Ashley’s latest post could be the most heartbreaking yet as he revealed that ‘making decisions’ about Azaylia’s funeral ‘is enough to bring me to my knees’.
In a message shared on his stories, he penned: ‘I always dreaded the first I’d have to plan a funeral. But I never ever thought it would be my child’s funeral.
‘Nothing could ever have prepared me for this. Some days it breaks me and I can’t even bare to do it.
Tragic: Ashley said, ‘I always thought I was tough, but making decisions on how I’m going to bury my baby is enough to bring me to my knees every single time’
‘I always thought I was tough, but making decisions on how I’m going to bury my baby is enough to bring me to my knees every single time.’
He concluded: ‘It’s hard to make sense of anything right now, especially why did it have to happen this way!’
The TV star had also taken to his page earlier to share his thanks after a group of young boys in Africa showed their support for him and his family.
Ashley shared a snap of the smiling boys holding up a sign which read: ‘Ashley Cain Beast Stay Strong More Love.’
Thank you: The TV star had also taken to his page earlier to share his thanks after a group of young boys in Africa showed their support for him and his family
Appreciation: Responding to the kind gesture, Ashley wrote: ‘Thank you to my young brothers in Africa. I really appreciate you and this picture was just what I needed today’
Responding to the kind gesture, Ashley wrote: ‘Thank you to my young brothers in Africa. I really appreciate you and this picture was just what I needed today. You have comforted and inspired me more than you could imagine.
‘You have also shone light on how beautiful humanity can be, and is. I hope that one day I can come visit and join you on the pitch. Stay blessed young lions… MORE LOVE.’
Ashley’s partner Safiyya was left overwhelmed as Pride Of Britain paid tribute to their little girl following her brave fight for life.
The official Instagram for the annual event, which honours Brits who have ‘acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging situations’, shared a short tribute video dedicated to the ‘#prideofbirmingham.’
Pride of the nation: Ashley’s partner Safiyya was left overwhelmed as Pride Of Britain paid tribute to their little girl following her brave fight for life
Little Azaylia’s picture flashed up in the clip, alongside the message: ‘Dedicated with love to all those bravely fighting their own battles.’
Commenting on the post, the grieving mum said: ‘Amazing. Azaylia you are my hero, and to all those who are battling a journey be brave, stay strong.’
While she also re-shared their post on her own Instagram stories, writing: ‘Azaylia, I am forever proud of you and the awareness you have made. Pride of Britain, you truly deserve this’.
Azaylia – who inspired her father’s powerful ‘let’s go champ’ message – underwent four rounds of chemotherapy during her fight and was recently nominated for a Pride Of Britain Award by thousands of supporters around the world.
Tribute: The official Instagram for the annual event, which honours Brits who have ‘acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging situations’, shared a short tribute video dedicated to the ‘#prideofbirmingham.’
Lovely: Little Azaylia’s picture flashed up in the clip, alongside the message: ‘Dedicated with love to all those bravely fighting their own battles.’
Honour: The Pride Of Britain awards paid tribute to little Azaylia and others fighting their own battles
Safiyya also continued to document the grief she’s been feeling after losing her baby girl last month.
Alongside a snap of her wearing rainbow pyjamas, she wrote: ‘My days are so empty without you when ever I think of you I ache from head to toe as I miss you so much.
‘I get the biggest lump in my throat and I just want to fall to my knees and cry.
‘And then I think what would Azaylia do (she would brave so I hear in my head mummy be brave stay strong just like me.’ [sic]
Well deserved: While she also re-shared their post on her own Instagram stories, writing: ‘Azaylia, I am forever proud of you and the awareness you have made
She also shared another post in which she detailed how she looks up to the sky for comfort amid her daughter’s death.
In the post she penned: ‘You are my hero, my guardian angel. I will cope even if it’s painful without you because I feel your energy and I no you your watching & swould want me to be strong and brave just like you.
‘Your looking from heaven & I will make you proud I will keep your name spoken forever Azaylia diamond cain.
Grief: Alongside a snap of her wearing rainbow pyjamas, she wrote: ‘My days are so empty without you when ever I think of you I ache from head to toe as I miss you so much’
Heartbreaking: She also shared another post in which she detailed how she looks up to the sky for comfort amid her daughter’s death and called Azaylia her ‘guardian angel’
‘Love mummy forvere in my miund heart thoughts and soul.’ [sic]
Azaylia battled acute myeloid leukaemia for the majority of her life and was diagnosed just two months after she was born.
Ashley confirmed the tragic news on social media last month, writing: ‘Rest In Paradise Princess. I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven ❤️ #AzayliaDiamondCain.’
For help and support caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, please contact Together for Short Lives on 0808 8088 100 or visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Tragic: The couple were utterly devoted to their daughter, who battled the rare and aggressive cancer with such courage she was nicknamed ‘Likkle lion’ (pictured earlier this year)
A timeline of Azaylia’s six-month leukaemia battle
October 2020: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia, which he described as an ‘uphill battle’.
Heartbreaking: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia in October
Azaylia was turned away by doctors three times and prescribed laxatives and a nasal spray when her breathing was impeded, shortly before her diagnosis.
By the end of the month, the brave child faced her second surgery and 16th chemotherapy-related treatment in less than two weeks.
November 2020: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed.
Doctors informed Ashley and his family that the tot needed a bone marrow transplant and blood donation.
Due to her Caribbean, Burmese, Indian and English background, the footballer said it was very difficult to find a match for a transplant.
Azaylia was brought home for a few days before her second round of chemotherapy.
December 2020: 80,000 people became stem cell donors 48 hours after Ashley appealed for the public’s help.
So sad: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed in November
January 2021: The TV star confirmed a stem cell donor had been found for his baby daughter Azaylia.
She received her stem cell transplant but her cancer sadly returned following a third round of chemotherapy.
February 2021: Azaylia responded well to her stem cell treatment and doctors were impressed with ‘how strong she was’.
She underwent further surgery to discover whether her leukaemia had gone. Later in the month, doctors revealed her cancer had returned.
March 2021: They were told there were ‘very few options’ to help the baby’s condition before she had another bone marrow test. She relapsed by the end of the month and underwent her fourth round of chemotherapy.
Ashley surpassed his target goal of £1million after he set up a GoFundMe to pay for life-saving treatment for his daughter Azaylia.
Heartbreaking: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours all over her body in April
The former Ex On The Beach star took to social media to ask fans for help in donating, explaining the treatment his daughter needed is available in Singapore.
Ashley described the treatment, CAR-T therapy, as ‘the only option to save Azaylia’s life’ and said he and partner Safiyya may have to fly out in a matter of weeks, adding it will take a minimum of one year.
Celebrities such as former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand, Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague and PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani all donated.
Despite efforts from around the world, pharmaceutical companies could not release the life-saving drugs needed to beat his daughter Azaylia’s battle.
Tender moments: Her parents bathed her in the hospital for a final time before they returned home later that month
April 2020: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours in her stomach, her spleen, her liver and her kidneys, in addition to tumours in her brain.
Her parents bathed her in the hospital for a final time before they returned home.
They marked her turning eight months old by having moulds made of her feet, and Azaylia was met with support from the London Underground and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
She received life-prolonging transfusion after her condition caused profuse bleeding and public figures joined the nationwide clap held in her honour.
Scary: The influencer’s ‘fragile’ daughter stopped breathing and suffered seizures before Ashley confirmed her death
Azaylia was nominated for a Pride of Britain award and had a plane draw a heart in the sky for her.
The tot was put on oxygen to aid her sleep, and struggled to open her eyes due to swelling.
Scam artists set up fake Facebook pages in her name, with Ashley admitting: ‘We feel really sad it has come to this’.
Azaylia returned to hospital for another platelet transfusion a few days before she died.
The influencer’s ‘fragile’ daughter stopped breathing and suffered seizures before Ashley confirmed her death.
Source: Read Full Article
