Updated: SADIE Rose Clifford, the two-year-old who fought an aggressive form of childhood cancer for most of her young life, has lost her battle for life.
Her family said they were at her bedside, reading her favourite story, when she died peacefully at 5.15pm on Monday.
Her death comes only ten days after the family were given the devastating news that doctors could do nothing more to treat the neuroblastoma – a type of brain tumour.
A brief announcement on the Light A Candle For Sadie Rose Facebook page said: “On Monday, June 25, 2012, Katie and Daz Clifford became the very proud parents of a beautiful new angel – Sadie Rose.”
Sadie’s grandfather, Graham Gotts, 49, said: “We are absolutely devastated by Sadie’s death. She was such a brave, happy, beautiful little girl who touched the hearts of everyone she met.
“The family are so grateful for all the support from thousands of people who have supported Sadie and tried to help us beat this cruel disease.
“Since yesterday, we have been hugely comforted by the hundreds of messages we have received, through Facebook in particular, and would like to thank everyone who has wished Sadie well.”
Sadie, from Knaresborough, had been at the centre of a massive campaign to raise £500,000 for treatment in America. The target was reached but when her family took Sadie over to the US, doctors delivered the devastating news that the tumours had spread to other parts of her body.
On June 15, Sadie’s mother Katie updated supporters on the internet, saying: “The day we hoped we would never have to face as finally arrived.
“This morning we were told that Sadie’s scans had shown widespread disease. There is no treatment left for her so we have decided to just enjoy every second, minute and hour we have with our special princess.”
She said: “We really have appreciated everyone’s support through what has been a terrible 18 months, but now we need your support more than ever as we face every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The family said it would be planning Sadie’s funeral, which they want to be a huge public celebration of her too short life.
Further details will be published when available.
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