Kentish Express Ashford & District
Salute to brave Aurora’s amazing family
The family of a little girl who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year has been presented with an award for their exceptional courage.
It was hoped Aurora Pile-Gray could have collected the Children’s Award for most courageous family, along with parents Keisha and Ethan, when the family was originally nominated back in the spring.
But the youngster lost her battle with Burkitt’s Lymphoma in June not long after undergoing a bone marrow transplant to try and beat the disease.
Aurora was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive cancer in May 2020 and spent more than a year in hospital, supported by her family, trying different chemotherapy treatments and fighting off two relapses.
In an emotional Children’s Awards presentation ceremony, Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins revealed the Thanet family had received more than 10 nominations from people in Kent keen to tell this year’s judging panel all about Aurora, her parents and siblings Ada and Oscar.
She said: “They are extremely well deserved winners and we send big love to your family.”
The annual Children’s Awards, organised by estate agent Wards, and supported by the KM Media Group and the Kent Community Foundation, recognise brave and courageous children and the families and organisations which support them.
Participants at the online presentation event were told that alongside caring for Aurora, her family had also faced hospital visits with both her siblings, who have been diagnosed with other health conditions.
And that despite the heartbreaking battle the family, and incredible eight-year-old had been forced to endure, they were described as ‘completely and utterly amazing’ and ‘deserving of every ounce of credit they get’.