THE HEARTBROKEN mum of a brave Drakes Broughton nine-year-old has launched a fund-raising bid to go towards her daughter’s final journey.
Lily May Filmer has been moved to Acorns Children’s Hospice for end of life care to mark the end of her heroic three-year fight against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Devastated mum Kayleigh Chapman now hopes to raise money to give her daughter ‘a grand final journey, in true princess style’.
The Observer first reported on Lily May’s inspirational fight against the aggressive form of leukaemia in April 2018 when local businesses made it possible for the family to enjoy a trip to Disneyland.
After being diagnosed in May 2017 at the age of five, Lily May completed a gruelling two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy and rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment in August last year.
Her family’s joy was short-lived however as Lily relapsed in December which meant further treatment for the nine-year-old.
Following a bone marrow transplant on May 26, the family were just four days away from bringing her home once again when they were dealt a devastating blow.
Kayleigh said: “She woke up unable to move her legs. Since then, we have had the worst news any parents should ever hear.
“Lily has had severe brain damage to a very rare inflammation overreaction. All treatment options are now completed, but sadly it hasn’t reversed her encephalopathy. She has been in a coma state for nearly three weeks
“We have cured her cancer but the strain it has done to her body has caused irreversible damage.”
The heartbroken mum is pregnant with her fifth child, a little girl, and hopes some of the money raised will also support Lily’s brothers and sisters after her death.
“Words cannot even describe how heartbroken we are. I cannot even begin to image my life without our beautiful, bubbly, creative and caring little lady,” she added.
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lilysfinaljourney for more.
