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'Is it my fault?': 6-yr-old cancer patient's devastating question leaves her parents and nurse heartbroken

The little girl's bravery during her cancer treatment stunned even the adults.
UPDATED JAN 24, 2025
Mom hugging sick kid with headscarf holding drip in the hospital. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | KatarzynaBialasiewicz)
Mom hugging sick kid with headscarf holding drip in the hospital. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | KatarzynaBialasiewicz)

It is extremely difficult for parents to watch their kids struggle with deadly diseases like cancer. But this time also shows them the tough side of their kids, who train their minds in the most amazing way for their journey to recovery. Bailey Velikaneye, a 29-year-old mom who goes by @baileyboo133 on TikTok, shared a heartbreaking video of her 7-year-old daughter raising an unexpected question. The video broke countless hearts of adults as they witnessed the young girl battling cancer.

Child patient with IV line in hand sleep on hospital bed. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Pornpak Khunatorn)
Child patient with IV line in hand sleeping on hospital bed. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Pornpak Khunatorn)

"Ashley always asks if it's her fault that she has cancer," read the overlay text on the video showing the little girl sitting on her mum's lap while getting her routine lab tests done. Ashley had to get her routine check-up done every week. When she asked her mom the heartbreaking question, even the nurse stepped in to assure Ashley that she was not responsible for her medical condition. Ashley's mom kept telling her she was a tough and strong girl as the lab technician collected her blood for testing. In 2023, Ashley was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

"Ashley did a lot of self-blaming," Velikaneye explained to Newsweek. "She would always ask me or the doctors, 'Is this my fault? Is it something I did?' To this day, it haunts me to hear her say those words." Velikaneye, who is a Colorado resident, noticed that her daughter's growth was stunted many years ago and feared that it was an indicator of something worse. "From 3 years old, Ashley probably had 10 to 15 appointments. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't pinpoint it," she told the outlet. "Towards the end of 2023, Ashley was very emotional and angry which was out of character as she is a sweet girl."

Smiling caregiver supporting sick child with cancer wearing blue headscarf (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Katarzyna Bialasewicz)
Smiling caregiver supporting sick child with cancer wearing blue headscarf (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Katarzyna Bialasewicz)

In 2023, a medical appointment and biopsy revealed that Ashley's liver was enlarged and she had an aggressive form of cancer. The little girl had to go through chemotherapy and a major surgery to remove 50% of her liver and her gallbladder. Fortunately, the chemotherapy worked in Ashley's favor and by June 2024, there was no sign of the disease in her body. But she would still require lifelong medical check-ups. "We always reminded her how strong she is," Velikaneye mentioned. "The more we told her she was brave and strong, the more she believed it." Documenting Ashley's journey through TikTok, Velikaneye hoped to raise awareness of rare childhood cancers.

"If you have a feeling something is wrong, then it is. Advocate for your child, and push for more tests. You know your child more than anyone," she explained. Velikaneye also started a fund that invests in stocks to raise money for childhood cancer research. She wanted to support other families who were struggling to navigate through complex health issues with their kids. Slowly and surely, Ashley's inspirational journey to recovery reached a wider audience online. "Now it's her mission to help other kids with cancer," Velikaneye shared. "She wants to be a friend to them and tell them, 'I did it, and you can too.'" 

Image Source: TikTok | @shitshela
Image Source: TikTok | @shitsela

People on TikTok left heartfelt comments to encourage Ashely and her mother. @connerpaige12 mentioned, "I work as a pediatric nurse and was banned from getting floated to our pediatric oncology unit because I kept crying. These families are so tough." @x.fxck.really.its.kay.x noted, "The way she feels safe expressing when she’s scared and knows how to regulate herself proves y’all are doing absolutely amazing for her. Sending all the love and hope for her and your family." @_chelso added, "She did way better than me! Any time I’m near a needle at the doctor they have to lay me down and I faint. She’s a strong girl!"

You can follow Bailey Velikaneye (@baileyboo133) on TikTok for more videos on Ashley's cancer journey and health awareness.

This article originally appeared 2 months ago.

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