Three-year-old Caitlin Soleil Lucas has been through so much in the past few months. Yet through it all, she displayed such courage and tenacity, always ready with a smile, despite her suffering. Even till the very end.
Her Filipino parents first discovered her “mystery illness” last September, when insect bites on her ankle turned into lesions all over her body. Unable to get a diagnosis for her condition in Manila, the family flew to Singapore in February for medical help. The next month, National University Hospital doctors confirmed her rare illness: juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia.
Refusing to back down in the face of adversity, the family chronicled her heartbreaking journey on a Facebook page called Courageous Caitie, inspiring people across the world with their stories of love, hope and strength.
Look at those eyes and smile. Till the very last.
Posted by Courageous Caitie on Thursday, March 31, 2016
Tragically, she passed away yesterday. Her parents wrote, “Today our daughter has gone to Jesus already,” followed by their last family picture together on Facebook. Condolences came flooding in from people near and far who had been impacted by Caitie’s story, and over 200 people turned up to a funeral parlour at Sin Ming Drive last night to pay their respects. They brought flowers, wrote colourful notes and drew rainbows and hearts for the little girl. It was a touching sight for her grieving parents.
Look Caitie, rainbows and colors all for you 🙂 #courageouscaitieinsg #courageouscaitie
Posted by Courageous Caitie on Thursday, March 31, 2016
The family will fly home to the Philippines today for a wake, and Caitie will be cremated on Sunday.
Thank you Singapore for loving our daughter and supporting her journey. #courageouscaitieinsg #courageouscaitie
Posted by Courageous Caitie on Thursday, March 31, 2016
