Four months ago, Claudia Burkill’s family announced that her terminal brain cancer was in remission and she was no longer classed as terminally ill. Their happy news was shared around the world
But last night, only a few short months after celebrating a miracle, Claudia’s family announced that she had passed away in her sleep, aged 8.
The announcement was made on the family’s Facebook page, Claudia’s Cause:
Claudia, of Mount Rasen in England, was told by doctors that she had metastatic pineoblastoma, a malignant brain tumour, at the age of five. Three years to the day of her diagnosis, Claudia’s parents were told that she was miraculously cancer-free after an experimental treatment called the Milan Protocol.
Since being given the all-clear, Claudia had been suffering from pneumonia and lung issues, which are believed to have caused her death. A few days ago, Claudia’s mother posted a picture of Claudia surrounded by her pets, noting “I swear that animals understand”.
The Burkill family, including parents David and Andrea and Claudia’s siblings Abigail, Esme and Zachery have asked for privacy while they grieve this beautiful and brave little girl.