A SCHOOLGIRL described as “inspirational” prayed for other sick children as she lay dying in hospital, her dad has said.
Aneliya Tihomirova Lazarova, 12, made the heartbreaking pleas at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital last June.
MEN Media‘Brave’ Aneliya Tihomirova Lazarova ‘prayed for sick children as she lay dying in hospital’[/caption]
MEN MediaThe 12-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia[/caption]
She was receiving treatment after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2022.
AML is an aggressive and fast-progressing cancer of the white blood cells which affects around 3,100 people every year in the UK.
She began at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool before transferring to a ward in Manchester later that year.
An inquest into her death heard how the youngster, known as Annie to her friends and family, underwent a bone marrow transplant in October.
This was the start of a “series of events” in the months before her death, Manchester Coroner’s Court was told.
Aneliya, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, suffered engraftment syndrome – a non-infectious transplant complication characterised by a fever, rash, and excessive fluid in the lungs.
She then developed graft-versus-host disease – when the donated marrow reacts badly with the recipient.
And Aneliya also developed several other “critical illnesses”, including bilateral chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), myopathy, and sepsis, and some of her organs began to shut down, according to consultant paediatric haematologist Professor Robert Wynn.
She passed away surrounded by her family on June 11, 2023.
Her cause of death was recorded as multi-organ failure, contributed to by the bone marrow transplant she underwent due to her leukaemia.
Recording a narrative conclusion, area coroner Zak Golombek said Aneliya “died from recognised side effects of necessary treatment”.
He told the girl’s dad Tiho Lazarov: “I cannot imagine how difficult these last few years have been for you all.
“I know from the statement that you provided what Aneliya was like and who she was away from these awful and tragic events.
“I hope in time that they will be your memories of her and not the time she spent unwell and in hospital.”
Speaking after the inquest on February 12, Mr Lazarov said that despite her own worsening condition, Aneliya still “prayed” for other sick children in hospital to get better.
He described his daughter as “brave”, “a true hero”, and “an inspiration”.
‘Angel in the sky’
Mr Lazarov said: “Annie is a bright soul and angel in the sky.
“[We] remember her with the legacy that she left to help other children and families to not go through what we were going through for 15 months, 24/7.
“She would always pray for all kids and babies around her in hospital.
“She was a lovely child interested in music, arts and crafts, sports, dancing, research and studies to help to create a better future.
“She was dreaming of being a doctor and a singer.
“Annie was a star that touched everyone with her kindness and humanity.”
The schoolgirl, from Manchester, died in June 2023MEN Media
The symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells.
When it is acute, it is aggressive and progresses very quickly.
Symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) usually develop over several weeks and worsen with time. They include:
Looking pale or ‘washed out’
Tiredness or weakness
Breathlessness
Frequent infections
Unusual or frequent bleeding
Unintentional weight loss
There are around 3,100 new AML cases in the UK every year.
It is slightly more common in men and women, and it affects people aged 85 to 89 more than any other age group.
Around 2,700 people die from the condition annually.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK