THE family of a two-year-old who has died from a rare form of kidney cancer have paid tribute to their “bubbly” little girl.
Tragic Evie Byrne was diagnosed with the disease after doctors discovered a Stage 4 Wilm’s tumour last June.
Despite bravely battling the cancer and undergoing scans, biopsies, chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour, Evie sadly passed away on Monday.
Her heartbroken family say Evie was “the life and soul” until the last moments of her life.
Dad Danny, from Dunfermline, Fife, said his daughter had died at Rachel House Hospice in Kinross with her family by her side.
He said: “She just refused to give up and always proved people wrong all the way through.
“She made it easy for us to forget she was ill and did not want to be treated any differently.”
Mr Byrne said Evie’s happy personality made it easier for the family to cope.
He said: “She completed our family. She was just so bubbly and always on the go because she wanted to enjoy life.
“Evie never let it stop her. She wanted some independence and she never just sat in bed and felt sorry for herself.”
Evie’s family were told her condition was terminal after a scan on April 10 when doctors found her cancer had returned and spread.
Mr Byrne said: “They basically told us then that it would be highly unlikely they would be able to make her better.
“We thought we had a number of months so we made a plan to make the most of what time she had left but it came quicker than we thought.”
Mr Byrne, who is also father to three-year-old Alfie said her funeral on Wednesday would be a celebration of the little girl’s life.
He added: “We did not want it to be portrayed as doom and gloom.
“We have accepted it because we have had time to get used to it even though it’s unimaginable and not something any family should have to go through.
Wilms’ Tumour is a rare form of kidney cancer which accounts for just 5% of all childhood cancers.
About 70 children in the UK develop a Wilms’ tumour each year. It most often affects children under the age of five.
Also known as nephroblastoma, most children with Wilms’ tumour are cured and very few will have long term kidney problems.
Staff at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children described Evie as “courageous”.
One staff nurse, who did not wish to be named, said: “Evie was a lovely little girl, very chatty and a delight to look after.
“She was very courageous and just bounced back from everything we threw at her.
“She had an infectious smile and will be fondly remembered by all her friends on the ward.”
Evie’s family have helped raise £15,000 for cancer charity CLIC Sargent and say they will continue to fundraise.
Evie’s funeral will be held at Dunfermline Crematorium on Wednesday May 29 at 11.30am.
