A student was given an 'almost impossible' cancer diagnosis, but her final heartfelt wish was granted before she passed way.
Alexandra Angeles Caycho was a 21-year-old graduate at Lancaster University studying Fine Art and Design. She was given the heartbreaking diagnosis of stage three pancreatic cancer, while she thought she was suffering from a rugby injury, in March 2023.
Just this summer, doctors said she only had 'days to weeks left to live', and her and her friends started a GoFundMe to fund her final wish, which she explained on the page.
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Alex explained that one day, her bowel movements changed and things started to get 'weird', as her health worsened over time.
Her eyes would turn yellow and she couldn't sit for long, leading her to go to A&E, where health experts told her that there was a possible issue with her liver.
After being told her cancer had developed to stage four, the student was then sent to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool where she revealed: "The doctors were shocked; they told me it was almost impossible for someone my age to have this disease."
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Despite this obstacle, Alex graduated from university this year and even planned to do a masters degree.
She decided to spend time at home with her mum, Linda and her boyfriend Dylan and when she returned for chemotherapy soon after, the process was stopped when she threw up blood.
After being put back in the ward, she was told that she had internal bleeding from the cancer and there wasn't much that anyone could do.
"I've tried to stay strong and to keep fighting with everything I have, but unfortunately my journey is coming to an end."
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At the time, she added: "I'm too tired most days to do anything; I suffer with swelling, the swelling has got so bad I have gained ten kilos of fluid and my body is too weak to deal with that immense weight gain. I suffer from back pain. Most days I spend my time in bed trying to eat and drink water if I can."
Amid all the pain, she had one last wish before she passed away, which was the original purpose behind the GoFundMe page - she wanted to go back home one last time.
Not her house in the UK, but her home country of Peru, as she explained: "My last wish is to return to Peru, to be with my family in the place where I grew up, where I have so many happy memories."
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But because of her condition, she needed to travel with specialised medical equipment and doctors by her side during the journey.
"This is why I’m reaching out to you all, asking for your help. The cost of a private jet and the medical care I need during the flight is far beyond anything my family and I can afford," she shared, with an amount of £150,000 required.
And earlier this month, her wish came true, arriving safely in Peru after a number of several flights with the required medical assistance to spend her final moments with her family.
There, she got to see her dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles once again, spending her final moments in a place where she 'feels at peace'.
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Her fundraiser went well above the necessary £150,000, with it sitting at £165,000 at the time of writing.
A further update explained that fuel consumption may be higher than previously thought as the plane may need to fly at a lower altitude and have more stops along the way due to her condition.
The goal was raised to £200,000 for these reasons and to cover things such as the funeral, but she made it home without the fund hitting the new target, as Dylan posted on the GoFundMe page that week: "I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for the amazing support that helped get Alex back to Peru. Your generous donations made this possible, and we’re incredibly grateful."
Sadly, on 14 September, he posted the sad news: "Struggling to put it into words, Alex passed away at 12 30 am local time on the 14th September with loved ones by her side. Alex's family and close friends ask for privacy at this moment in time."
Feel free to donate to Alex's GoFundMe here.
Joshua Nair