Hailey Merkt AML Leukemia Fund - In Loving Memory

It is with shattered hearts I convey that our dear darling Hailey passed on Friday, July 26. After the bone marrow transplant had taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth she only had 6 weeks before she got the terrible news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast. Her first reaction was to say, "I don't care about myself anymore, but I can't bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love."

I am in awe of her. She had such clarity and independence and grace. She decided she wanted to live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things. A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks all ticked off. Hanging out in a favourite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul.

I am in awe also of Hailey's mother Michele, who has been her rock, her confidant, her cook, her cleaning woman, her errand runner, dog-walker, her everything and who could not have loved her precious daughter more each and every minute.

Her sister Jenny and her brother Kyle were also her rocks, and gave her so much instant and total support, love, and solidarity, as well as Kyle's stem cells, which allowed her the incredibly valuable extra time. She also had the best friends, Jodie, Vesa, Meghan, and Maija, who had her back and were so thoughtful and shared life in all its glory and sorrow with her. The love of her life and soulmate, Henry, brought her precious laughter and joy this last year, along with his heart.

To everyone who gave to her GoFundMe, I don't think you'll ever fully know what a lifeline it was. It took the sudden and immense strain of worrying how to pay for the rent, living expenses, her medications, her trial medicine which did in the end give her an extra 8 irreplaceable months, and later her beloved dog Snuggles getting cancer and having his tumour removed. It gave her the ease to feel she was still living her life in the time she had left.

As we finalize family plans, we have decided to keep the GoFundMe Page open for anyone else wishing to offer support in lieu of flowers until August 10, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. As per Hailey's wishes, there will not be an official funeral. To leave a message for Hailey's family or friends, or in her memory, please go to her Instagram account @haileymerkt.

The world without her is unacceptable, but we are having to accept it. We will hold her close forever.

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NOTE: 100% of all funds raised will be donated directly to the beneficiary, Ms. Michele Merkt, Mother of Ms. Hailey Merkt and all proceeds will be used to afford remaining costs that have overwhelmed Hailey's mother and family.