‘True hero’ prayed for sick children from her hospital bed
A BRAVE 12-year-old girl prayed for other sick children while she was in hospital.
Sadly, Aneliya Tihomirova Lazarova, known as Annie, passed away at
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital last June.
An inquest into her death at Manchester Coroner’s Court on Monday, February 12, heard how she had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive and fast progressing cancer of the white blood cells, in 2022.
Amid her treatment, she had been transferred from Alder Hey to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. She underwent a bone marrow transplant in September that year which started off a ‘series of events,’ Area Coroner Zak Golombek said.
Aneliya suffered engraftment syndrome following the bone marrow transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease in October; when the marrow from the donor reacts with the patient receiving the transplant.
Aneliya also developed ‘critical illnesses’ according to Professor Wynn, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, including bilateral chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), critical illness myopathy, sepsis, and the breakdown of a number of her organs. Her medical cause of death was noted as multi-organ failure, caused by the bone marrow transplant she underwent due to her leukaemia.
Aneliya’s father, Tiho Lazarov, said that despite her own worsening condition, ‘brave’ Aneliya still ‘prayed’ for other sick children in hospital. He said her family, who are from Middleton, were around her when she died. He called his daughter a ‘true hero’ and an ‘inspiration.’
In a tribute, he 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 far more intelligent to help and 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 inquest heard how the side effects and reaction to her bone marrow transplant contributed to her death. Aneliya passed away on June 11, 2023.
Mr Golombek recorded a narrative conclusion, explaining that Aneliya ‘died from recognised side effects of necessary treatment.’
Addressing her father Tiho, Mr Golombek said: “I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to you - and for those to be extended to other family members and friends.
“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.”