Youngest twin dies after fight against cancer
PARENTS ‘BROKEN’ AFTER DEATH OF BABY BOY
THE devoted parents of two little boys who were both diagnosed with cancer have been left inconsolable after the youngest died.
Nile Liburd, 26, and his partner Nicole Duhaney, 20, were overjoyed when Elijah, the younger boy by 44 minutes, and Emre were born just before Christmas last year.
It was a dream come true for Nicole, a first-time mother at 20, who couldn’t wait to experience all the joys of motherhood.
But the couple’s bliss was shortlived when three weeks later Elijah Liburd began to develop a strange lump on his right check.
By April 2019 their world fell apart when their identical twins were diagnosed with cancer – acute myeloid leukaemia.
Instead of living at Nicole’s mum’s home in Salendine Nook, the couple ended up living full-time at Leeds General Infirmary as doctors began a programme of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
A recent bone marrow transplant has not worked and Elijah died on Tuesday at 8.30am.
Now the couple face having to organise his funeral service at St Barnabas’ Church, Church Avenue, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, on Tuesday, October 29 at 2pm.
Nile’s sister-in-law, Bev Liburd, wrote on the gofundme website: “I’m devastated to announce that after his long, courageous, battle, baby Elijah Liburd has lost his battle against leukaemia.
“As you can imagine his mum and dad are broken as are the rest of the family and close ones.
“But as a family we thought it would be a nice idea to raise some money to enable Elijah’s mum and dad to be able to create a memorial of their choice.
“As well as ensuring that Elijah will have the send off he most definitely deserves. Thanks to everyone in advance for their support and kind words.
“The support has been immense, the support kind words alone are making such a difference. Thank you again so much everyone.”
Bev added: “They are
both broken, there are no words I can use to describe what they are going through, though Nile has been very strong.
“Neither of them have been home since this started and we are all very grateful to the Candlelighters charity for helping to ensure this.
“Unfortunately, Elijah’s body just wouldn’t take the transplant and they didn’t want him to suffer anymore and he died on Tuesday.”
Already more than £1,000 has been raised on the gofundme page www.gofundme.com/f/elijah-liburd