ASHLEY Cain has suffered yet another blow in his baby daughter’s leukaemia battle, with an “essential” drug that she needs for treatment not being released.
The 30-year-old star admitted that he has “pain in his eyes” after a difficult day of discussions with medical consultants following the news.
Having taken to his Instagram Story late tonight to thank followers for donating a staggering £1.4 million to help Azaylia get the treatment she needs in Singapore, the worried dad then shared the devastating update.
He told fans: “I honestly can’t thank everyone enough, I’m looking really tired and I’ve got pain in my eyes as we found out today that one of the drugs that Azaylia needs to start treatment tomorrow, in order to bring her leukaemia count down and get her into remission, is not being released by the pharmaceutical companies.
“So not only today have I been looking after Azaylia, but going through heavy talks with doctors, consultants, and pharmaceutical companies to try and get this essential drug that Azaylia needs.”
Ashley was then distracted by Azaylia pulling out the tube from her stomach through her nose while she slept – saying he was in for a long night as she will “not like” having to get another one fitted.
The star was tearful earlier on this evening as he admitted that he was “overwhelmed and lost for words” after Azaylia’s fundraiser surpassed its goal in less than 24 hours.
So far, almost £1.4 million has been raised for Azaylia and her family to fly to Singapore and receive potentially life-saving treatment for her leukaemia, with the original target £1 million.
Ashley said he’d had no idea the goal had been reached after being busy speaking to professionals all day – and couldn’t thank everyone enough for their kindness and generosity.
He then filmed Azaylia as she slept in her hospital bed after a “long day” of treatment, he held her hand as he added to his followers: “We’re eternally grateful for giving us the chance to try and save our beautiful daughter.”
Molly-Mae Hague, Maura Higgins, and Mrs Hinch were among the big-hearted donors to donate to Azaylia’s fundraiser to ensure it reached its huge target.
Fashion brand Pretty Little Thing’s founder Umar Kamani also showed staggering generosity by giving a huge £20,000.
The GoFundMe surpassed its goal in just hours after heartbroken Ashley explained that it was his daughter’s only chance of beating the illness.
Earlier this week, the star revealed that Azaylia had relapsed after an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant.
The devastated family now face a race against time to secure a spot in Singapore for year-long CAR-T therapy, plus a haplo transplant, which will give Azaylia the best chance at survival.
They need a £500,000 deposit just to be accepted into the hospital and onto the program, with Ashley desperate to raise a million as soon as possible to give Azaylia the best chance.
Over 101,000 people have donated in total having been left moved by Azaylia’s ongoing battle after she was diagnosed with leukaemia at eight weeks old.
Last week, Ashley fought back tears and admitted that he was “broken” after being told that the recent transplant did not work as hoped, adding that his “heart had been torn to pieces” on the “hardest day” of Azaylia’s fight so far.
Begging fans to give what they can, the former footballer shared photos taken for his daughter’s emergency passport as he detailed the situation in full.
Ashley and his partner Safiyya expected Azaylia to get the all-clear in February after gruelling chemotherapy treatment, but were left “blindsided” when they were instead told that the cancer had returned.
She went on to have a bone marrow transplant, which doctors hoped would beat the disease.
Ashley wrote earlier this week: “Consultants made us aware that if her leukaemia returns after transplant there are only few options left.
“Over the last few weeks we have been exploring one of these options, by weaning her off her cyclosporine medication to give her donor cells a boost, in the hope that they take action in combating the leukaemia.”
