A tragic teenager died hours after his sister was given the go ahead to travel to America for potentially life-saving cancer treatment.
Abigail Cox, 21, from Inverurie, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a bone cancer, in February 2014 and has been undergoing treatment at Glasgow’s Beatson Centre.
It is a difficult type of cancer to cure in the UK and doctors advised her family that the best type of treatment would be available at a specialist centre in Houston in Texas.
Since her diagnosis, relatives have been fundraising to get the money for Abigail to travel to America so she can get the care she needs, launching a JustGiving page which has pulled in almost £22,000.
And her family received the call they had been waiting for three days ago to let them know that she had now been accepted as a patient at the Houston Cancer Centre.
The news had lifted the spirits of Dawn and Gary Cox, who are parents to their youngest daughter Olivia, until they discovered that their beloved teenage son, Edward, 19, had died yesterday.
Police were called out to a property in Inverurie after his body was discovered on Thursday morning.
On Friday a relative said the family were devastated.
He said: “This is a devastating time. The family are pulling together to help Gary, Dawn and Abigail and Olivia get through this period.
“They got a call the other night from America to say that Abigail could come across to the centre. It is going to cost a lot of money and this JustGiving appeal started and it has just completely taken everybody by surprise how generous and how supportive people have been.
“The focus is to go through this period and to make sure Abigail is fit to travel to America.”
Tragic Edward worked at his father Gary’s nightclub Edwards in Inverurie, in Aberdeenshire. His father also runs the Northern Hotel in Aberdeen and has been raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).
Dozens of pals and family friends flocked to social media yesterday to express their shock at the loss of such a popular teenager.
One friend on social media recalled playing rugby with Edward when he was young.
He played with Garioch rugby club, which incorporates players from around the Inverurie area.
Another family friend added: “I remember the day you were born Edward and a very proud Mum and Dad and big sister you had too, and a young male Cox to take on the family name too, proud as punch they were.
“You grew up into a very young talented young man following in your dads footsteps with yeah your bling, rugby, work and if course your looks too.
“Edward you made so many people smile and now so many people will hold onto all those memories of you.
“Edward you were a credit to all your family, you were the most polite young man and had a beautiful smile that everyone will always remember.
“The man from above has taken you away far too soon and it’s not fair, but he will have one massive bright shining star up there who will shine bright on us all every day and night.”
Karina Cable has been fundraising for her cousin Abigail to get treatment abroad.
She also paid tribute to her youngest cousin on the fundraising page yesterday.
She said: “The day after the news about her acceptance her and her family tragically lost Edward who was not only a son, brother, cousin, and nephew, but also a friend to many people within our community.
“A fun, loving, caring, energetic, cheeky, bright, and happy young lad that had a heart as big as anyone that we all know.”
Police confirmed that they were called out to a house in Inverurie on Thursday.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police were called yesterday at about 9:30am in relation to the sudden death of a 19-year-old man in the Inverurie area.
“The death is being treated as unexplained but there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.”
