Teen with cancer dies weeks after meeting Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their royal tour of New Zealand
A heartbroken family has announced that their teenage daughter, who met Harry and Meghan during their royal tour in New Zealand, has reportedly lost her battle to cancer. The 19-year-old, Eva McGauley, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was just 16, had met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a private reception at Government House in Wellington at the end of last month.
The teen's family revealed on her Instagram page that she had sadly succumbed to her illness on Sunday morning while being surrounded by loved ones. Throughout her sickness, Eva made it a point to document her battle with nasopharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, on her Instagram page, titled 'Eva's Wish'.
Announcing the news of her death, Eva's family wrote in a statement on her Instagram page: "We are heartbroken to tell you all that Eva left us yesterday morning. It was very fast and peaceful and she was surrounded by her loved ones. Thank you so much to all of you who have followed Eva's journey and supported her dreams."
After meeting Meghan and Prince Harry last month, the enthusiastic teenager shared on her social media page, "I have had the most amazing morning! I am so honored and thankful to have been invited to Government House to meet with Meghan and Harry this morning!!!" She added, "They are such kind down to earth people who were really interested in the work EvasWish does. [It] was one of the most memorable and wonderful moments of my life. Thank you so much to everyone who made this happen."
The young girl also revealed to her followers how she had shown Meghan, who is known for her feminist beliefs, a book titled '200 Women', which featured the teenager. She posted: "When I met with the Duke and Duchess yesterday I gave her a copy of the @200women book that I am honored to be a part of."
"It's full of stories about inspirational women who are changing the world so who better to give it to than this very inspirational lady? I hope you enjoy reading it, Meghan."
Eva, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, had to go through months of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, with doctors at one point thinking she was in remission. But they later revised their diagnosis, with the teenager explaining: "Then three weeks later they said they had got it wrong...and actually showed that [the cancer] was terminal."
She wrote on her 'Give A Little' fundraising platform: "When you know your days are numbered, it really makes it clear what matters to you. Sure, I could pin my hopes on meeting my favorite actress, or traveling the world. But what I really want is to make a positive difference that will still be helping people's lives after I am gone – to give more in life than that I have taken."