05/30/2026
An 11-year-old girl from Caerphilly, Wales, died just 15 days after showing the first symptoms of a rare and aggressive brain tumor.
Alicia-Adele Axiak passed away on April 25, 2025, after being diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DIPG), one of the deadliest forms of childhood brain cancer.
Just days earlier, Alicia had been a healthy, active girl. On April 8 she attended dance class and prepared for an upcoming competition. The next day she played in a netball match after school. But on the morning of April 10, she woke up complaining that her left arm felt numb. The numbness quickly spread to the left side of her face and then her leg, causing her to limp.
Her mother, Amanda, immediately contacted their doctor, who urged them to go straight to the emergency room. Alicia was admitted overnight for an MRI scan the following morning.
Just two days later, the family received the devastating diagnosis: Alicia had an inoperable and incurable diffuse midline glioma.
Only 13 days after her diagnosis, Alicia passed away.
Her mother described her as “the perfect child” with “a heart of pure gold,” someone who always wanted to care for and comfort other children. Even in her final days, Alicia remained selfless, funny, and loving. She was baptized by her mother and a local pastor after expressing a wish to be baptized once she recovered.
Alicia leaves behind her parents and three older brothers: Lloyd, Llewellyn, and Llewys. She loved gymnastics, dance, and netball.
In honor of her daughter, Amanda is launching “Alicia-Adele’s Angels” to raise money for brain tumor research and support other families going through similar pain.
“I will carry Alicia forever and tell her story always,” Amanda said. “I want everyone to know her and for her never to be forgotten.”
