Our sweet and kind sister Emily passed away on the 29th of June. We are heartbroken and still in shock, but we have also been overwhelmed by the love and support, with so many of you asking how you can help. We felt that raising funds for her funeral would be a meaningful way to honour Emily’s life, with any remaining donations given to the charities Anthony Nolan and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity, two causes that meant so much to Emily and our family.

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Emily had a rare condition called Hyper IgE, which meant her immune system was severely weakened and couldn’t fight infections like most people’s could. She was on lifelong medication and faced countless hospital stays and surgeries ever since she was a baby. Despite this, Emily was fiercely positive, stoic, and determined to live as normal and independent a life as possible.

Three years ago, Emily became critically ill with sepsis. She survived, but it was clear she would continue to get sicker without a stem cell transplant - her only hope of a potential cure. This was a brutal treatment that required chemotherapy to completely wipe out her immune system, a long hospital stay, and powerful medication to stop her body rejecting the transplant. But Emily had always defied the odds - and we all hoped she would again.

After three long years and many more hospital admissions, Emily finally had her transplant. She endured a week of intensive chemotherapy and received her new stem cells (donated by our youngest sibling) on her 29th birthday, spent in hospital. What followed were a gruelling seven weeks, moving between intensive care and the ward. Initially she was in good spirits, with her body accepting the new stem cells - we were all hopeful. She fought so hard and for so long, but in the end, she succumbed to a severe lung infection, and we realised that this time she wasn’t coming home. Our sweet Emily passed away on the 29th of June.

Emily stared death in the face and graciously accepted it when it was time. She was the bravest, most selfless and inspiring person we knew. Her kindness and humility touched so many people and her memory will stay alive in all of us.

We want to give Emily a funeral that truly honours her courageous life. As many of you will know, funerals can be unexpectedly expensive and add an extra burden in the midst of deep grief. Emily couldn't get life insurance, doesn't have savings (she worked but was frequently sick in hospital), no assets and no parental support. Please don't feel that you have to, but if you want to help, any support you can give, whether it’s a small donation or simply sharing this page, would mean the world to us.

Your donations will go towards funeral director costs, burial fees, coffin, hearse and transport, flowers, headstone, venue hire, the ceremony and wake. Any funds remaining will be split between the charities Anthony Nolan, which gives people like Emily a chance at a life-saving transplant, and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity, who provide care and research for children with the rarest and most complex illnesses around the world (Emily was a regular!).

We also want to thank the incredible staff at NNUH, UCH and Royal London Hospitals who cared for Emily with so much dedication and compassion - a testament to the NHS.

Even if you don't donate, thank you so much for taking the time to read about our beautiful Emily. We are so grateful for all your love, support and kindness during this heartbreaking time.

We love you always, Emily.

With thanks from,

Annie, Paula, Hans, Dilaver, James, Tina and all her loved ones.

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NOTE: We are waiting to hear back from the coroner before finalising a funeral date.

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