Kleefeld toddler who fought cancer dies

Aliyah Hernandez who fought a long hard fight to stay alive after she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, has died.

On a March 21 update on the family’s Go Fund Me page, it was stated that Aliyah died on March 19. She died cradled in her parents’ arms.

“After 58 days we were finally able to hold our baby. We spent the day taking turns holding her, reading stories, listening to music, singing songs and telling her how she was so incredibly loved,” wrote her mother Ashley Hernandez.

Aliyah’s tumour was behind her heart and lungs which made it difficult to breathe. Ashley did everything she could to get her daughter the help she needed eventually taking her to Edmonton to the Stollery Children’s Hospital to receive treatment.

The toddler underwent two rounds of emergency radiation to shrink the tumor and a round of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, an infection occurred which shut down her organs according to published media reports.

“Words can’t describe how we are feeling right now, our hearts feel shattered. We love you so much Moosey, you fought SO hard and we are so proud of you. Thank you for letting us be your Mommy and Daddy, you will never be forgotten and we will always celebrate you,” read the Go Fund Me post from Ashley.

The couple thanked the PICU team at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Ashley’s post.

The Go Fund Me page was created by Happy Hive Childcare Centre to support the Hernandez family as neither parent could work while they were with Aliyah in Edmonton. The page has garnered more than $32,000.

The family’s Go Fund Me page is still active for those who wish to donate.