A Newton Aycliffe family is grieving the unimaginable loss of their nine-year-old daughter, who died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a rare cancer, only days before Christmas.
Millie Rose Hedley, described by her mum, Kimberley Hedley, as a “beautiful, loving and kind-hearted” girl died on December 22, last year.
The youngster had just hours earlier been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare, fast-growing blood cancer.
Kimberley, 30, said: "She was diagnosed and gone within 24 hours."
Millie suffered from symptoms including bone pain and extreme tiredness for a year before her death.
Her family are now navigating life without the much-loved schoolgirl who filled "every room with joy and energy".
Kimberley said: "Millie was a beautiful, loving and kind-hearted little girl with the biggest smile and the sweetest soul. At just nine-years-old, she brought happiness wherever she went, always helping others and caring deeply for everyone around her.
"She was full of adventure and loved making magical memories - from exciting days out and family holidays to happy times at the beach. Millie loved to sing, dance and laugh, filling every room with joy and energy. She also had a huge love for dinosaurs, which made her even more unique and special.
"Millie will always be remembered for her gentle heart, her fun spirit and the love she gave so freely. She touched so many lives in her short time and will forever be loved, missed and carried in the hearts of all who knew her."
Kimberley recalled how Millie - who had big dreams of becoming a “singing, princess archaeologist” - shared a particularly close bond with her older sister Michaela.
The mum said the pair were inseparable, describing Millie as her sister’s “little sidekick” who followed her everywhere.
Michaela, like the rest of the family, had no idea Millie's life would be cruelly cut short so suddenly.
In the months before Millie's death, Kimberley said her daughter struggled with frequent bouts of illness, something the family repeatedly raised with doctors.
“She’d always get run down very quickly,” Kimberley said.
Despite several visits to the doctor, Kimberley claims she was reassured it was likely linked to Millie’s immune system still developing. In December, however, her condition deteriorated.
Kimberley said Millie was so weak she had to carry her part of the way to a doctor’s appointment prior to her death. At the time she says she was told: “She’s got the flu.”
But within days Millie became seriously ill and was taken to hospital after she began vomiting and was unable to keep fluids down.
When she arrived at A&E, Kimberley said staff immediately realised how unwell she was.
Doctors quickly carried out tests and delivered the devastating news to the family that she had cancer.
Millie was transferred to a specialist hospital by a children’s intensive care transport team, but her condition worsened.
Her family said despite efforts from medical staff, Millie died less than a day after her diagnosis.
Kimberley said doctors later explained how rare the disease is for children and how quickly it can progress.
In Millie's memory, Kimberley has decided to raise money for the hospital team who cared for her daughter.
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In September, the family will be driving from Newton Aycliffe to Benidorm and back to fundraise for the Great North Children's Hospital. The car is being decorated and supporters can add a special message to it.
Kimberley also wants to raise awareness of the disease to ensure families know the symptoms.
She said: "Although with AML it is likely that all children die within two years of diagnosis, knowing the symptoms and what to look for is really important."
Symptoms include:
- skin looking pale or "washed out"
- tiredness
- breathleness
- losing weight without trying
- frequent infections
- having a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
- night sweats
- bone and joint pain
The family held a celebration of life for Millie in February, surrounded by friends, family and teachers who remembered the nine-year-old’s joyful spirit.
Loved ones can leave a tribute in the comment section below.
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