A nine-year-old girl died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a rare cancer doctors initially dismissed as the flu.
Millie Rose Hedley died on 22 December last year just hours after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and fast-growing blood cancer.
The girl from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, showed symptoms including bone pain and extreme tiredness for a year before her death.
Millie's mother, Kimberley, 30, claimed doctors told her the illness was because she 'had the flu' and her immune system was developing.
She said her 'loving and kind-hearted' girl was 'diagnosed and gone within 24 hours.'
Millie struggled with frequent bouts of illness, an issue her family raised with doctors.
'She'd always get run down very quickly,' Kimberley said.
However, by December Millie's condition had deteriorated to such an extent that her mother had to carry to her to a doctor's appointment.
Millie Rose Hedley, 9, died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a rare cancer. Her mother claimed doctors told her she: 'had the flu'
Millie's mother Kimberley, 30, said her 'loving and kind-hearted' girl was 'diagnosed and gone within 24 hours.' Her family are now dealing with the loss of a daughter who filled 'every room with joy and energy'
But doctors dismissed the illness telling her mother 'she's got the flu.'
Days later Millie was taken to hospital after she began vomiting and could not keep fluids down.
Upon arriving at A&E, Kimberley said staff immediately realised how unwell she was.
Doctors quickly carried out tests and told her family the devastating news that she had cancer.
She was transferred to a specialist hospital where her condition again worsened.
Despite the efforts from hospital staff, Millie died less than a day after being diagnosed with cancer.
Doctors explained to Kimberley how rare the cancer is for children and just how quick it can develop.
Kimberley said: 'Millie will always be remembered for her gentle heart, her fun spirit and the love she gave so freely.
Millie, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, wanted to grow up and be a 'singing, princess archaeologist'
Millie had a close relationship with her sister Michaela (top). The two were inseparable with Millie being described as her sister's 'little sidekick'
'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 said her daughter, who wanted to grow up and be a 'singing, princess archaeologist,' had a close bond with her older sister Michaela.
The two were inseparable with Millie being described as her sister's 'little sidekick'.
Her family are now dealing with the unexpected loss of a daughter who filled 'every room with joy and energy.'
In memory of her daughter, Kimberley is raising money for the hospital team who took care of Millie.
In September the family will be driving around 2,950 miles from Newton Aycliffe to Benidorm and back for the Great North Children's Hospital.
The journey, which will take more than 48 hours, will be driven in a car decorated with special messages from supporters.
Millie's mum wants to raise awareness of the rare cancer so 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.'
what is acute myeloid leukaemia?
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer of the white blood cells.
It is a rare type of cancer, with around 3,100 people diagnosed each year in the UK.
AML symptoms develop in weeks and become worse over time.
Symptoms include:
- Looking pale or 'washed out'.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Breathlessness.
- Frequent infections.
- Unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds.
- Losing weight without trying to.
It is not known what causes AML and, in most cases, there's no identifiable cause.
Chemotherapy is the main form of treatment and it is needed as soon as AML is diagnosed.