Mum Dr Emily Cooper, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, shared the tragic news of her daughter's passing on X. She said two-year-old Isabelle passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning (September 19). Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to our daily newsletter Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Lancaster Guardian, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
The family had recently been seeking treatment and support for Isabelle after she was diagnosed with the same rare genetic disorder which led to her brother Alexander’s death on Boxing Day in 2021. Alexander was just three-years-old when he died suddenly after feeling "a bit unwell". The siblings shared a rare PPA2 deficiency which can lead to sudden cardiac death in infants and young people, said mum Emily.
She said Isabelle had been unwell recently and she taken her to hospital after a bout of vomiting before returning home last Monday. Tragically she died in the early hours of Thursday. Sharing her tragic news on X, she said: “We are devastated to say that our beautiful Isabelle died in the early hours of this morning.
Advertisement Advertisement “We are absolutely broken. However, we want you all not to think of her death, but to honour her by living life as she did: fearlessly, joyously & spontaneously.” Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone.
Emily, from Lancaster, has since shared a link to a JustGiving page launched by friends of the family. Nearly 2,000 people have donated so far, raising more than £33,000 in four days. She added: "Thanks so much for all the condolences for the loss of Isabelle.
We're so grateful for offers of help but as we can't think straight at the moment, a colleague has kindly done a fundraiser page until we can function enough to know what we need. Thank you x." Advertisement Advertisement Paying tribute to her daughter, Emily said: “Our beauty, our sunshine in the darkest times.
You spent so many happy times loving our new garden. “Our new house is so empty without your beautiful thudding feet and constant chatter and giggles. I can't bear your empty bedroom, finished only a month ago.
I'm just so lost. 💔” A note on the fundraising page says: "It is truly heart breaking to share that Emily and her family have suffered another devastating loss with the passing of their 2-year-old daughter, Isabelle. For the latest Preston & Lancashire headlines in your inbox, sign up for the LEP newsletter .
Advertisement Advertisement "Isabelle had PPA2 deficiency, which can lead to sudden cardiac death in infants and young people. Emily also lost her 3 year old son Alexander to this in 2021. She has undertaken some amazing work around raising awareness of this condition and SUDC generally, using her skills and lived experience to help others.
"Emily is such a loved and valued colleague and friend and we'd like to help her and her family now by offering a bit of support during this time. Anything you can donate would be much appreciated and will be used to pay for essentials such as meals, help with household necessities and Isabelle's funeral. "The family also need to go through the process of replacing Alexander's headstone for one which includes Isabelle too.
All of this is really incomprehensible, so any help will go a long way. "As a school and wider community we have pulled together before in times of need and hopefully you are able to donate something to ease the burden Emily and her family are now facing. Advertisement Advertisement "Please also share this with others as we want to be able to offer as much support as possible.
Thank you." Since Alexander's death in 2021, Emily and her partner Darren have been raising awareness of sudden deaths in children, supporting the charity Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood UK . You can visit the JustGiving page for the family here .
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