Young girl loses battle with rare illness
Ashtenique will be laid to rest on February 15, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones who will celebrate her extraordinary spirit.
Reiger Park is in mourning following the heartbreaking passing of 11-year-old Ashtenique Baron on February 8.
She was a vibrant young girl, known for her infectious laughter and boundless energy.
Her grandmother, Milda Louw, shared that Ashtenique faced significant health challenges toward the end of last year when she suddenly fell ill.
Her symptoms included painful sores in her mouth, which made breathing difficult.
“Doctors initially diagnosed her with sinusitis, but we later learned she was suffering from aplastic anaemia, a condition where the bone marrow cannot produce enough red and white blood cells,” Louw explained.
“Her condition required frequent hospital visits for transfusions. However, a critical challenge in her treatment was the lack of a biological sibling to serve as a stem cell donor.
“Despite these hardships, she displayed remarkable resilience throughout her battle.”
Louw added the Reiger Park community deeply loved her. She actively participated in school activities at Reiger Park Primary School before transitioning to home schooling because of her health constraints.
Louw described Ashtenique as the heart and soul of her family.
“She had dreams of becoming a private investigator, driven by her natural curiosity and determination.”
She further explained Ashtenique suffered from a dangerously low red blood cell count, which made her body highly vulnerable to infections.
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Her condition worsened when an infection developed in her colon, a consequence of her weakened immune system.
“Without enough white blood cells to fight off infections, she became critically ill. Her stomach became swollen, and she struggled to breathe or speak.
“She experienced constant stomach distress, with blood clots passing through her system, causing immense pain and suffering.”
Ashtenique went to hospital on January 8 and remained in the hospital for nearly a month before being discharged on January 29.
“Her health deteriorated again, and she was readmitted on February 4. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, she lost her brave battle and passed away.
“She fought a great fight. We are devastated to lose her at such a young age. We will always remember her for her bravery.”
Louw also thanked the community for their support.
“Thank you, everyone who stood by us throughout this difficult journey. The fundraiser and donations made a significant impact, and we are truly grateful.”
Ashtenique was laid to rest on February 15.
Also Read: FOLLOW UP: Reiger Park child (11) continues brave fight against rare condition
