‘She changed my life, she saved my life and she made my life’: Ashley Cain breaks down in tears as he shares heartbreaking speech from daughter Azaylia’s funeral
- Azaylia tragically passed away last month after spending most of her short life bravely battling acute myeloid leukemia
- The Ex On The Beach star, 30, shared the video on Thursday, it saw him break down in tears as he gave a moving dedication to his eight-month-old daughter
- In his poignant tribute, Ashley said: ‘My daughter, Azaylia Diamond Cain was special. Beautiful, strong, courageous and so, so inspirational’
- The couple buried their daughter on Friday after her tragic death
- Ashley previously said his daughter Azaylia’s funeral was the ‘most devastating day’ and he would ‘do anything’ to bring her back
Ashley Cain has shared the heartbreaking speech he made at his daughter Azaylia’s funeral on Friday.
The Ex On The Beach star, 30, shared the video on Thursday, and it saw him break down in tears as he gave a moving dedication to his eight-month-old daughter when they laid her to rest, and told how she ‘changed’, ‘saved’ and ‘made’ his life.
Azaylia tragically passed away last month after spending most of her short life bravely battling acute myeloid leukemia.
‘She changed my life, she saved my life and she made my life’: Ashley Cain broke down in tears as he shared his heartbreaking speech from daughter Azaylia’s funeral with fans on Thursday
Ashley began: ‘Wow, I always thought I was a bit of a celebrity, then Azaylia came along, completely blew me out of the water.
‘I think that when you have a child, as a parent, you can be slightly biased, but I think it is safe to say, on behalf of myself, my partner, to my friends and family and the whole world who have followed our story, that my daughter, Azaylia Diamond Cain was special.
‘Beautiful, strong, courageous and so, so inspirational. I don’t think that a single person in this room can say they are too wise, too educated or experienced to have learned something from my likkle lion.
‘From the second she came into my life everything changed. She changed my life, she saved my life and she made my life.’
Loss: Azaylia tragically passed away last month after spending most of her short life bravely battling acute myeloid leukemia
Emotional: Ashley said: ‘My daughter, Azaylia Diamond Cain was special. Beautiful, strong, courageous and so, so inspirational’
Ashley broke down in tears as he continued: ‘What a strong and powerful journey, it is only now that I have taken a step back that I have actually realised how impactful it was.
‘I remember calling up my brother, I called up both of my brothers actually, but I remember I called up Matty and I said “Matty, you are going to be an uncle again” and he said “Do you know what? So are you” and at that point we were like “what are you having?”, “gotta have a boy” and then we both found out that we were having little girls, we couldn’t be happier.
‘Having a little girl for me was a chance to really, really show the true person that I am. She allowed me to love, she allowed me to kiss and snuggle and dance, she allowed me to do everything I wanted to do.’
Reflecting on when she was diagnosed with cancer, he went on: ‘I don’t understand after hearing that news, after getting the most devastating news, at such a difficult time, we still had the best days of our life.
Poignant: Ashley broke down in tears as he continued: ‘What a strong and powerful journey, it is only now that I have taken a step back that I have actually realised how impactful it was’
Grief: Ashley added, ‘I miss smelling her head, I miss blowing raspberries on her belly, I miss putting her feet on my face and going “pooo, stinky feet!” – she used love that’
‘I miss kissing her lips, even though Saf used to say “leave her alone” , I would say “I can’t”. I used to kiss her and kiss her and kiss her.
‘I miss smelling her head, I miss blowing raspberries on her belly, I miss putting her feet on my face and going “pooo, stinky feet!” – she used love that.
‘I miss dancing with her, something we used to do every single day. I think the thing I really miss the most is, when we were in hospital, I used to stay most nights in hospital and I really, really, really miss waking up in the morning, opening the blinds and seeing her massive, massive beautiful smile.
‘Honestly, what baby does this? I used to be tired, probably only having an hour or two hours sleep, I used to wake up in the morning and look over to my right and she would be there awake, not crying, not screaming, just waiting for me to wake up.
Looking back: Ashley went on, ‘I really, really, really miss waking up in the morning, opening the blinds and seeing her massive, massive beautiful smile’
Devoted dad: Ashley continued: ‘She was amazing and no matter what she went through, she always had a smile on her face, she always did it with grace and beauty’
‘As soon as I opened those blinds and said “hey baby” her feet were like this and her hands were going, it was the most beautiful thing.
‘I used to get the music on straight away and I think we used to have the time of our lives every morning in that hospital.’
Ashley continued: ‘She was amazing and no matter what she went through, she always had a smile on her face, she always did it with grace and beauty.
‘One amazing thing I think about Azaylia is all of us in this room, and even such a close, tight and strong family that we are, there’s always that something between you, you may not even be able to put your finger on it.
Honest: Ashley added. ‘I think, as a family, we are all better because of Azaylia… As much as we can take some credit, truthfully it turned out that we gained our strength from her’
‘When Azaylia came along, I think we all looked at ourselves, realised what we have got, seen what we should be appreciating, put aside everything that needed to be put aside and came together as one.
‘I think, as a family, we are all better because of Azaylia. I think during the time, I thought, if we stay strong, happy and positive, then she will be strong, happy and positive.
‘As much as we can take some credit, truthfully it turned out that we gained our strength from her.
‘We smiled because she smiled, we were brave because she was so fearless and we were strong because she was a true beacon of strength.
Moving: ‘We smiled because she smiled, we were brave because she was so fearless and we were strong because she was a true beacon of strength,’ Ashley gushed
‘She inspired us, she inspires you, she inspired everyone that followed her journey. In the end, this likkle lion that we thought we needed to love and be strong for, had enough love and strength embedded in her to fuel the entire world.’
Ashley also reflected on how the Disney film Coco helped him in his grief, as he added: ‘It turns to Mexican traditions to offer a more optimistic view on one’s journey to heaven, that a journey to the other side should not be viewed as some unavoidable terror but as a remembrance to treasure our loved ones, both living and the heavenly,’ he said
‘As long as our loved ones are remembered here on earth, they will live on for eternity in paradise.
‘So that being said, I made a promise to my daughter and myself that I will make her name live on.
Purpose: He added, ‘I made a promise to my daughter and myself that I will make her name live on. I will carry her name to the stars, I will be her vessel and help other families’
‘I will carry her name to the stars, I will be her vessel and help other families and poorly children until it is my final journey and then, hopefully then, I will be at peace, I will be happy as I will have earned my place in heaven, where I will be with you my baby once again.’
Ending his speech on a moving note, Ashley said: ‘To the top of every mountain, to the bottom of every valley, along every road, across every ocean, north to south, east to west, corner to corner, pillar to post, I will take you there baby – let’s go champ. My champion, my world, my hero – Azaylia Diamond Cain – I love you.’
In the caption for the video, he went on: ‘The toughest speech of my life. The week leading up to Azaylia’s day was comprised of sadness, fear and anxiety.
Farewell: Ending his speech on a moving note, Ashley said: ‘Let’s go champ. My champion, my world, my hero – Azaylia Diamond Cain – I love you’
‘I was sad because my beautiful baby had passed, I was scared because it was our final goodbye and I was anxious because I wanted to make sure I had the strength to stand up and speak about my hero, and how she impacted my life.
‘I wrote a speech at 4am two days before Azaylia’s day. I couldn’t bring myself to go back to it or read through because of the pain it caused.
‘I was so nervous that I wouldn’t have the strength when I came to it, and It made me panic, as it meant everything to me to be able to speak about my likkle lion that day.’
Candid: In the caption for the video, he went on: ‘The toughest speech of my life. The week leading up to Azaylia’s day was comprised of sadness, fear and anxiety’
He added: ‘But when the day came, I just had some strong belief and some crazy faith, that my baby would get me through it. And like always, she did.’
‘To the top of every mountain, to the bottom of every valley. Along every road, across every ocean.
‘North to south, east to west, corner to corner, pillar to post. I’ll take you there. Let’s Go Champ! “Oobee doo, I wanna be like you!”‘
Ashley and his partner Safiyya Vorajee have said they are struggling to process their grief, as he took to Instagram on Tuesday night as he stood by his baby girl’s grave to wish her goodnight and vowed to visit her ‘tomorrow and every day after’.
‘It’s really tough’: On Tuesday, Ashley and his partner Safiyya Vorajee said they are struggling to process their grief
Dad: Ex On The Beach star Ashley took to Instagram as he stood by his baby girl’s grave to wish her goodnight and vowed to visit her ‘tomorrow and every day after’
Safiyya, 35, meanwhile, told her followers she was finding it hard to have the motivation to get out of bed and the thought of going outdoors filled her with anxiety.
Showing her incredible strength of character, Safiyya revealed she had gone to the gym with her friend to workout and wore a T-shirt with Azaylia’s face on, in honour of her daughter.
After a body pump class, she said: ‘I found it really, really hard to get out of bed.
Struggle: Safiyya, 35, meanwhile, told her followers she was finding it hard to have the motivation to get out of bed and the thought of going outdoors filled her with anxiety
Brave: She said: ‘It’s causing me so much anxiety to come out and do anything, but I took the step today to get back into the gym and do some classes where there’s more people’
‘It’s causing me so much anxiety to come out and do anything, but I took the step today to get back into the gym and do some classes where there’s more people around to try and control this anxiety that I’ve got and try and get out and do something. ‘
Safiyya added in the captions of the video: ‘I ache so much I long for you baby. You’re my everything.
‘So grateful for good people around me and working hard to get me back on my feet. Behind close doors and things you don’t see it’s really tough.’
Meanwhile, Ashley shared a photo of Azaylia’s grave which was filed with flowers, orange ribbon in honour of her brave leukemia battle and Lion King toys.
He wrote: ‘Goodnight. God bless baby. See you tomorrow and every day after.’
Earlier in the day, the television personality shared a number of photos from Azaylia Day- her funeral- as he thanked his friends and family for their ongoing support and said he would do Azaylia ‘proud’.
‘Miss you baby’: Safiyya shared a photo of Azaylia’s grave which was filed with flowers, orange ribbon in honour of her brave leukemia battle and Lion King toys
He wrote: ‘We shared so many tears, sadness and broken hearts on Friday. The day I buried my daughter, something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
‘The weight of it it hasn’t really sank in yet, and I don’t know if it ever will. But I do know that I promised to do her proud, channelling her incredible energy every day for the rest of my life.
‘So, despite Friday being the most devastating day any parent could go through, it was also beautiful. We remembered and reflected on how amazing Azaylia was; the love that she created and the pure, positive energy that she possessed throughout.
Family: Earlier in the day, the television personality shared a number of photos from Azaylia Day- her funeral- as he thanked his friends and family for their ongoing support
Heartbreaking: The couple buried their daughter on Friday after she tragically passed away last month
Strong: Ashley wrote: ‘I would do ANYTHING to bring my little angel back. She meant more to me than life itself and the fact I cannot change what has happened breaks me to pieces’
‘I would do ANYTHING to bring my little angel back. She meant more to me than life itself and the fact I cannot change what has happened breaks me to pieces.
‘It is something I will carry until the day I hold her in again in paradise. But, for now, I feel proud that we could give her the send off she deserved, a tribute to her short but impactful life…
‘A beautiful life full of colour, strength, song and determination to enjoy every moment, even when dealt the toughest of hands.
Tribute: Ashley said his daughter Azaylia’s funeral was the ‘most devastating day’ and he would ‘do anything’ to bring her back
‘Thank you to everyone… Family, friends and supporters that made this day a special day for Azaylia. Thank you to all those who came to wave her off.
‘And thank you to everyone who continues to support us throughout this journey. You lift our spirits more than you will ever know, thank you.
‘Azaylia, we love you and we miss you so so much baby. MY CHAMPION.’
Last week Ashley and Safiyya’s daughter was laid to rest, and the pair were seen laying flowers on their daughter’s coffin before he helped to carry the coffin away.
The funeral was held in Azaylia’s hometown of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets.
The couple had invited people to pay their respects to Azaylia on a pre-arranged route on Friday morning.
Safiyaa also wrote a passionate tribute to her daughter, saying she deserved to have ‘the most beautiful send off we could give her’.
A timeline of Azaylia’s six-month leukaemia battle
October 2020: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia, which he described as an ‘uphill battle’.
Heartbreaking: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia in October
Azaylia was turned away by doctors three times and prescribed laxatives and a nasal spray when her breathing was impeded, shortly before her diagnosis.
By the end of the month, the brave child faced her second surgery and 16th chemotherapy-related treatment in less than two weeks.
November 2020: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed.
Doctors informed Ashley and his family that the tot needed a bone marrow transplant and blood donation.
Due to her Caribbean, Burmese, Indian and English background, the footballer said it was very difficult to find a match for a transplant.
Azaylia was brought home for a few days before her second round of chemotherapy.
December 2020: 80,000 people became stem cell donors 48 hours after Ashley appealed for the public’s help.
So sad: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed in November
January 2021: The TV star confirmed a stem cell donor had been found for his baby daughter Azaylia.
She received her stem cell transplant but her cancer sadly returned following a third round of chemotherapy.
February 2021: Azaylia responded well to her stem cell treatment and doctors were impressed with ‘how strong she was’.
She underwent further surgery to discover whether her leukaemia had gone. Later in the month, doctors revealed her cancer had returned.
March 2021: They were told there were ‘very few options’ to help the baby’s condition before she had another bone marrow test. She relapsed by the end of the month and underwent her fourth round of chemotherapy.
Ashley surpassed his target goal of £1million after he set up a GoFundMe to pay for life-saving treatment for his daughter Azaylia.
Heartbreaking: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours all over her body in April
The former Ex On The Beach star took to social media to ask fans for help in donating, explaining the treatment his daughter needed is available in Singapore.
Ashley described the treatment, CAR-T therapy, as ‘the only option to save Azaylia’s life’ and said he and partner Safiyya may have to fly out in a matter of weeks, adding it will take a minimum of one year.
Celebrities such as former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand, Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague and PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani all donated.
Despite efforts from around the world, pharmaceutical companies could not release the life-saving drugs needed to beat his daughter Azaylia’s battle.
Tender moments: Her parents bathed her in the hospital for a final time before they returned home later that month
April 2020: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours in her stomach, her spleen, her liver and her kidneys, in addition to tumours in her brain.
Her parents bathed her in the hospital for a final time before they returned home.
They marked her turning eight months old by having moulds made of her feet, and Azaylia was met with support from the London Underground and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
She received life-prolonging transfusion after her condition caused profuse bleeding and public figures joined the nationwide clap held in her honour.
Scary: The influencer’s ‘fragile’ daughter stopped breathing and suffered seizures before Ashley confirmed her death
Azaylia was nominated for a Pride of Britain award and had a plane draw a heart in the sky for her.
The tot was put on oxygen to aid her sleep, and struggled to open her eyes due to swelling.
Scam artists set up fake Facebook pages in her name, with Ashley admitting: ‘We feel really sad it has come to this’.
Azaylia returned to hospital for another platelet transfusion a few days before she died.
The influencer’s ‘fragile’ daughter stopped breathing and suffered seizures before Ashley confirmed her death.
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