A nine-year-old girl passed away just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a rare cancer that doctors initially dismissed as the flu. Millie Rose Hedley died on 22 December last year, mere hours after receiving a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare and fast-growing blood cancer.
Millie, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had exhibited symptoms including bone pain and extreme tiredness for a year before her death. Her mother, Kimberley, 30, claimed that doctors attributed the illness to the flu and her developing immune system. Kimberley described her 'loving and kind-hearted' daughter as being 'diagnosed and gone within 24 hours.'
Millie struggled with frequent bouts of illness, a concern her family repeatedly raised with medical professionals. 'She'd always get run down very quickly,' Kimberley said. By December, Millie's condition had deteriorated significantly; she was so weak that her mother had to carry her to a doctor's appointment. Yet doctors dismissed the severity, telling her mum, '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 noted that staff immediately recognised how unwell she was. Doctors quickly conducted tests and delivered the devastating news that she had cancer. She was transferred to a specialist hospital, where her condition worsened further. Despite the efforts of hospital staff, Millie died less than a day after her diagnosis.
Doctors explained to Kimberley how rare AML is in children and how rapidly it can develop. Kimberley said: '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.'
Millie, who wanted to grow up to be a 'singing, princess archaeologist,' shared a close bond with her older sister Michaela. The two were inseparable, with Millie described as her sister's 'little sidekick.' Her family is now grappling with the unexpected loss of a daughter who filled 'every room with joy and energy.'
In memory of her daughter, Kimberley is raising funds for the hospital team that cared for Millie. In September, the family will drive approximately 2,950 miles from Newton Aycliffe to Benidorm and back, a journey taking over 48 hours, in a car decorated with special messages from supporters. Millie's mum aims to raise awareness of this rare cancer so that other families can recognise the symptoms. She stated: '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 over weeks and become progressively worse. 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), and losing weight without trying. The cause of AML is unknown, and in most cases, there is no identifiable cause. Chemotherapy is the main form of treatment and is needed as soon as AML is diagnosed.
