'Beautiful, loving' girl, 9, tragically dies within hours of cancer diagnosis

A nine-year-old girl died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a rare cancer . Millie Rose Hedley was described by her mum, Kimberley Hedley, as a “beautiful, loving and kind-hearted” girl. The youngster had been diagnosed with leukaemia (AML), a rare, fast-growing blood cancer, just hours before she tragically passed away. Her family is now fundraising to thank the nurses who cared for her. Kimberley, 30, of Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham, 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 on December 22 last year. Her loved ones recalled how she 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 loved to sing, dance and laugh, filling every room with joy and energy. Her huge love for dinosaurs also made her unique and special. She will always be remembered for her gentle heart, her fun spirit and the love she gave so freely." She dreamt of becoming a “singing, princess archaeologist” and shared a close bond with her sister. She struggled with frequent bouts of illness, something the family repeatedly raised with doctors. “She’d always get run down very quickly,” Kimberley said. 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 it was thought that she had flu. But within days Millie was taken to the hospital after she began vomiting and was unable to keep fluids down. When she arrived at A&E, doctors delivered the devastating news to the family that she had cancer. A children’s intensive care transport team transferred Millie to a specialist hospital, but her condition deteriorated. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Millie died less than a day after her diagnosis. Doctors explained how difficult it can be to diagnose acute myeloid leukaemia. Kimberley has decided to raise money for the team who cared for Millie Rose at Newcastle's Great North Hospital. In September, the family will be driving from Newton Aycliffe to Benidorm and back to fundraise in her name. The car is being decorated and supporters can add a special message to it. Her family said that the wanted people to be aware of the tell-tale signs of AML. Symptoms include looking pale, experiencing tiredness and breathlessness, and losing weight. There may also be joint pain. The family held a celebration of Millie's life in February, where friends, loved ones and teachers remembered her.