A mother from the West Midlands has shared the heartbreaking story of her 10-year-old daughter, Larissa, who passed away due to leukemia during a family holiday in the United States. Marie Fellows recounted the sudden and devastating turn of events, which began with the family’s much-anticipated trip to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary.
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The Fellows family set off on their journey on 3 August 2024, aiming to enjoy a series of adventures in California and New York, culminating in a Caribbean cruise. It was a dream family getaway that included a vow renewal ceremony in Central Park, which Larissa had eagerly anticipated, having always wished to be a bridesmaid for her parents.
However, just one day into their holiday, Larissa began to feel unwell after visiting a theme park. Initially, her symptoms were attributed to motion sickness, and on 13 August, she developed a headache and extreme fatigue, prompting a visit to a local doctor. Despite being reassured that her condition was likely caused by travel fatigue and a change in routine, her health continued to deteriorate.
The family continued with their plans, but Larissa’s condition worsened significantly while aboard a cruise ship. Although she reported aching legs and fatigue after a beach party, an evening visit to the ship’s medical centre went unanswered, leading Marie to care for her daughter as best she could. When Larissa experienced alarming symptoms early one morning, Marie rushed her to seek medical assistance.
At the medical facility, Larissa was given fluids and underwent blood tests, with doctors initially suspecting a urinary tract infection or meningitis. Tragically, her health continued to decline, leading to her being placed in an induced coma. Shortly thereafter, while undergoing a CT scan at Bellevue Hospital in New York, Larissa’s heart stopped, and she was pronounced dead on 28 August 2024, leaving her family devastated.
Reflecting on the loss, Marie expressed the indescribable pain of losing a child, stating that “no one actually feels the pain of their heart breaking into a million pieces until you lose a child.” Following Larissa’s passing, the family cancelled their vow renewal and instead paid tribute to her memory in Central Park.
In a cruel twist of fate, it wasn’t until October that the family learned that Larissa had succumbed to leukemia, a shocking revelation given that she had shown no signs of illness until just weeks before her death. Marie underscored that her daughter had been a vibrant and active child, having won a national wakeboarding competition shortly before their trip.
Describing Larissa as “one-of-a-kind,” Marie shared that her daughter had a zest for life and was known for her creativity and determination. Larissa loved exploring nature, crafting, and making people laugh with her silly jokes. The loss has been profound for the entire family, who continue to talk about her daily, ensuring she remains part of their lives.
In memory of her daughter, Marie founded the Larissa Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about leukemia and providing support to other families facing similar challenges. So far, the foundation has successfully raised over £90,000 to assist in these efforts, reflecting Larissa’s favourite saying, “One Life, Live it.”
Almost two years after Larissa’s passing, Marie noted that while the family carries a sense of cloudiness from their grief, there are moments of brightness and joy. With the support of family and friends, they navigate their daily lives, with her eldest son preparing for his GCSEs while continuing to honour Larissa’s memory in everything they do. The family remains dedicated to ensuring that Larissa’s vibrant spirit lives on through their actions and ongoing efforts to help others.