The parents of a six-year-old “warrior princess” have paid tribute to their daughter in a touching eulogy.

Anu and Ruchit Patel of Loudwater celebrated the life of “angel” Kaiya in a speech to the family members, friends a supporters whose lives were touched by the schoolgirl who was “immediately loved by all”.

Kaiya, who attended St. Helens School in Northwood, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at Watford General Hospital on March 28, 2018.

Her parents immediately set about recruiting support and campaigning long and hard to find a stem cell donor for their daughter, which they achieved in August last year – but despite her transplant in September, Kaiya did not survive.

She died on January 13 having contracted an adenovirus which was especially dangerous given her vastly diminished immune system.

In her eulogy, Mr and Mrs Patel remarked on Kaiya’s selfless generosity and strength of character.

They marvelled at her ability to make everyone feel they were her “favourite person”, her capacity for compassion and diplomacy and her mischievous smile.

Kaiya was a “girly girl”, they said, shunning time outside for “playing dress up with mummy” and helping with household chores.

In her school report, Kaiya is described as the “third adult in the classroom.”

Her parents praised her for both her intellectual and emotional intelligence, her patience and love, and the way she adopted a second mother role when younger sister Annika arrived - reassuring her they will be “best friends forever.”

Mr Patel said his happiest moments with his daughter were everyday things like “making pancakes with her on Saturday morning, holding her hand on the way to school, or watching her leap, swim, or dance”.

He added: “She moved artistically and with grace”.

In March last year, her father described their family’s world “crushing down” when doctors explained they suspected Kaiya had cancer of the bone marrow.

Mr Patel said: “I wasn’t in my body at the time. I was stood on the side watching. It was a dream. I watched me nod in understanding but screamed at me in the dream – “don’t let Kaiya see you upset. Don’t cry in front of her.”

Kaiya was transported to Great Ormond Street Hospital where months of gruelling therapy began to treat her sub-type of cancer - and where her parents searched for any “glimmer of light and found nothing”.

Mr Patel said he and his wife drew hope from Kaiya to continue their mission of finding her a donor, nourished by a girl “full of love, light, and strength”.

She underwent a powerful chemotherapy regime that imposed strict limitations on her activities and taxed her young body heavily. The Patel’s said she met these challenges with “remarkable strength of character”.

The chemotherapy and immunotherapy parts of her treatment were a success but only a stem cell transplant could entrench her cancer free status.

A donor was found and thanks to the community interest built around Kaiya’s case, 40,000 donors were added to the register.

But post-transplant there were signs of adenovirus in her blood and over four arduous months Mr Patel said Kaiya fought her condition with “love and warmth despite being in incredible pain”.

In closing, her father said Kaiya taught him, “determination, strength, and kindness”, adding: “She taught me that people are inherently good and that they can be galvanised to sacrifice for others.

“For these lessons and for six beautiful years of happiness, I am so proud and truly fortunate.”

In final tribute to their daughter, Mr and Mrs Patel asked that those present at her funeral record one good deed on Kaiya’s social media page, in hopes it will inspire others much in the same way she inspired those around her and to keep her alive in the hearts of many.

Kaiya’s eulogy https://m.facebook.com/notes/be-kaiyas-donor/kaiyas-eulogy/551903805322552/