Father Heartbroken as His Daughter's 'Growing Pains' Unveil a Cancer Diagnosis

 

Father Heartbroken as His Daughter's 'Growing Pains' Unveil a Cancer Diagnosis

On Friday, Kevin Rice is courageously confronting his fear of skydiving, all in loving memory of his late daughter.

Kevin, a 40-year-old resident of Bristol, has decided to embark on this thrilling adventure as a tribute to his daughter, Raeyah, who tragically passed away earlier this year at the tender age of 4 due to her brave battle against kidney cancer.

In the past, Kevin, who works as a builder, had refrained from engaging in any activities that he considered "out of the ordinary" to avoid any potential harm. However, he now shares that he no longer fears taking the plunge from an airplane.

In his own words, "It's a very unusual perspective, but when Raeyah left us, she took all of my fear with her." He fondly described his little daughter as "crazy and engaging," emphasizing her fearless and adventurous spirit. "She was a daredevil; she had fire," he added.

Raeyah's journey with cancer began when she was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor in December 2021. She received treatment initially, but unfortunately, her condition took a devastating turn when she started experiencing leg pain, initially dismissed as "growing pains." Subsequent scans revealed the heart-wrenching truth: the cancer had returned, affecting her right hip and spreading to other parts of her tiny body.

Kevin expressed his grief, saying, "After advocating for her to see a specialist, further investigations confirmed her relapse, leaving my wife Rebecca, 42, and me utterly devastated." Raeyah's health deteriorated rapidly, and within a few weeks, she was back in the hospital, her little body ravaged by tumors.

Kevin and Rebecca are parents to two other children, Mason, 10, and Mitchell, 13, the latter of whom has been unable to attend school since Raeyah's passing. Kevin shared their challenge of explaining their sister's impending demise to their sons, particularly given that their youngest child was diagnosed with autism. "Mason has found it really difficult to understand how Raeyah went in for treatment one morning and never returned home," Kevin said.

Raeyah's journey touched the hearts of many, including the dedicated healthcare professionals who cared for her. Her funeral, held on April 14, was attended by loved ones and some of the nurses who had worked tirelessly to provide her with comfort and care. Kevin expressed gratitude, saying, "The entire hospital knew our daughter; she was so popular. Anyone who did anything to impact my daughter's life in her four years was there."

In honor of their beloved Raeyah, the family established "Raeyah's Hands of Support," a charitable organization aimed at raising funds to support children fighting cancer.

On Saturday, Kevin and five of his friends will embark on a skydiving adventure with Go Skydive in Salisbury. This daring endeavor serves as a meaningful fundraiser for the non-profit organization they created. As Kevin aptly put it, "Fundraising is a way to keep her spirit alive within our family."

In summary, Kevin Rice is bravely conquering his fear of skydiving to commemorate the memory of his fearless daughter, Raeyah, who battled kidney cancer with remarkable courage. This touching story of love, loss, and resilience has inspired the creation of a charity that continues to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Kevin's skydiving fundraiser is a testament to the enduring love he holds for his daughter and the legacy she leaves behind.