Child’s obituary recalls short but full life
Cailen Vela, from Fruitport, Michigan, passed away this Tuesday, after battling cancer for three years, her family announced. He was seven years old.
“Cancer never defined him; his joy, strength and light are how he will be remembered. No matter what Cailen was facing, he always appeared smiling,” Vela’s obituary read. “Running around, laughing loudly, loving deeply, and living every moment to the fullest. Cailen loved adventures, including a whale watching trip in California, countless camping trips, several children’s camps, hanging out with her many friends, always wanting to go bear hunting, and always with her ‘crazy sister’ by her side.”
CNN reported last year on Cailen’s diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of cancer called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, including her relapse after initial treatment. The cancer was discovered after a routine pediatrician appointment, when doctors thought Cailen might have an ear infection.
Cailen photographed with her family (Vela Family)
Cailen’s parents, Aly and Cody, shared the anxiety they felt regarding the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to funding distributed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “If funding was eliminated or cut, it would be devastating because these kids definitely need help with research,” Aly Vela told CNN at the time. “All help is needed, because there are no concrete answers.”
A KFF Health News analysis found that the NIH’s drastic cuts in funding for scientific research have caused suffering across the country.
Cailen’s funeral will be on May 16th. Her parents encouraged everyone to “come dressed in Cailen’s favorite things, including Tigers, orange and yellow, Spider-Man, Minecraft, Super Mario, How to Train Your Dragon and Disney.”
