Aurelia Patel: Memorial service to be held in Rockingham for toddler who died of pulmonary hypertension

A memorial service for a Perth toddler who made headlines following her family’s desperate plight to treat her rare life-threatening condition will be held on Friday.

Aurelia Patel’s Waikiki family had a $3 million goal to travel to the US for potentially life-saving treatment for her severe pulmonary hypertension.

Sadly, the two-year-old died on November 30 before the fundraising goal could be reached.

Aurelia was referred to end-of-life palliative care in October after the family was told there were no options left in Australia.

While a transplant wasn’t available to her in Australia as she was under four-years-old, two US hospitals had agreed to look at Aurelia’s case.

This would have put the toddler on the waitlist for a new heart and lungs.

Details regarding the memorial service were shared on the Aurelias Army Facebook page.

“Everyone who has followed her story, supported her family, or simply wants to stand with us is invited,” the post read.

“Your presence means more than you know.”

Aurelia’s family are also calling on other families whose children have been impacted by pulmonary hypertension to share their stories.

“If your family has been left to watch your child deteriorate or die because no pathway, trial, or alternative was available here, your experience needs to be heard,” they shared.

“We also urgently call for success stories, families who sought alternatives outside the standard system, including procedures such as shunt interventions or other treatments not readily accessible in Australia. Your outcomes matter. Proof that options exist matters.”

Aurelia’s memorial will be held in Rockingham at Palm Beach Jetty at 6.30pm on Friday.

Supporters were asked to bring a candle or a flower to the service.