Family devastated after 10-year-old dies from leukemia weeks after first symptoms

A mother in the U.K. is sharing the heartbreaking story of losing her 10-year-old daughter to leukemia just days after the child first began showing symptoms during a family holiday in the United States.

Marie Fellows was travelling with her family in August 2024 to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary when her daughter, Larissa Fellows, suddenly fell ill during the trip.

The family’s planned celebration included a vow renewal in New York City’s Central Park and a Caribbean cruise with their three children.

However, shortly after arriving in the U.S., Larissa began experiencing symptoms that were initially attributed to travel fatigue and motion sickness.

According to her mother, the 10-year-old’s condition worsened over the following days, including headaches, fatigue, and later severe leg pain.

Despite multiple medical assessments during the trip, her symptoms were initially not linked to any serious underlying condition.

While on the cruise, Larissa’s condition deteriorated further, prompting emergency medical attention. She was later transported to Bellevue Hospital in New York, where her condition rapidly declined.

Doctors eventually placed her in an induced coma after suspecting a serious neurological issue.

Larissa died on August 28, 2024, surrounded by her family. At the time, the exact cause of her illness was still unknown. It was not until October that the family was informed she had been diagnosed with leukemia.

Marie described the moment of loss as devastating, saying there are “no words” to fully capture the emotional impact of losing a child.

The family later established the Larissa Foundation in her memory, which has raised more than $90,000 to support leukemia awareness and assist other families facing similar diagnoses.

Marie remembered her daughter as energetic, creative, and full of life, noting that she had recently won a national wakeboarding competition before the family’s trip.

She said Larissa loved crafting, telling jokes, and “making people laugh,” and was known for her strong personality among her siblings.

In the months following her death, Marie said the family continues to grieve while finding strength in shared memories and support from loved ones.

She added that Larissa’s memory remains a guiding presence in their lives.

The case has also highlighted the varied symptoms of leukemia, which can include fatigue, bone pain, fever, and unexplained weakness, often making early detection difficult.

Despite their loss, the Fellows family says they remain committed to raising awareness and continuing Larissa’s legacy through their foundation, inspired by her favorite saying: “One life, live it.”