Help comes too late to save little Kai's life
A Perth father has broken down after he paid tribute to his young son, who died on Thursday after a cancer battle that triggered a global search for help.
In a tragic twist, a potential match was found but it was too late to save Kai Nell.
Kai died in his parents arms at 3pm on Tuesday.
Despite his grief, Richard Nell wanted to thank the team of doctors and nurses who for two years tried to save his son’s life.
“There was suffering... Lots of suffering,” he said.
Kai’s life was cut short by an aggressive form of leukaemia.
Instead of celebrating his fourth birthday next month, Kai’s family is planning his funeral.
“It is the biggest killer of children,” Richard said.
“So why it should get such little funding is just not acceptable.”
Seven News has followed Kai’s battle since he was diagnosed for a second time last year.
An appeal for bone marrow donors went global and the number of donations in WA soured.
But it wasn’t enough.
Late last year Kai matched with a donor overseas, but there was not enough time.
Heartbroken but not defeated, the Nell family is still determined to find the answers needed to beat childhood cancer.
