Lancaster University graduate who raised £165k for her final wish has died from cancer
Alexandra Angeles Caycho died at home from pancreatic cancer on 14th September 2024
A Lancaster University graduate died on Saturday after battling terminal pancreatic cancer.
Alexandra Angeles Caycho, who graduated with a first class degree in fine art and design, was diagnosed with cancer in March 2023 at just 20 years old.
Her friends and family recently raised over £165k in less than a week to complete her final wish and send her home to Peru, where she spent her final days with her family and her boyfriend, Dylan.
Alex went through extensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy before she was told in August 2024 that nothing more could be done.
She was surrounded by support from her friends and family, who spread the word about her final wish so that she could travel safely home, sharing the hashtag “Get Alex Home” on Instagram.
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Her story was covered by national news outlets and she was immediately flooded with support from across the UK.
Her GoFundMe page reached £16,000 in 24 hours, and one week later she had surpassed the £150,000 required for medically assisted travel, with over 7,000 recorded donations.
She successfully arrived in Peru on 3rd September 2024. Her boyfriend, Dylan, said at the time: “Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for the amazing support that helped get Alex back to Peru. Your generous donations made this possible, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
Her friend, Katie, said in an update on the GoFundMe page that Alex was spending time with “her family, her boyfriend, and her beloved cats, in the country she loves so deeply. This means everything to her, and to all of us who care for her.”
Any additional donations were allocated for her funeral costs and additional travel costs for her and her family and friends.
During her final weeks, Alex’s friend Gabby expressed their love for her on Alex’s Instagram account, saying that she always had either “a smart quip or words of encouragement for those around her.”
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Her friends also described her as a lover of unique jewellery, Crocs jibbitz, spoof comedy shows and the colour purple.
“Her happiness comes from her loved ones, her artwork and she’s a very proud cat mom, she has the most interesting stories and you never know what she will say next.
“She has the most gorgeous smile, which radiates through everything.”
Alex’s friends and family have now created an online memorial book where loved ones can share their memories of the graduate.
The book was flooded with memories of Alex’s happiness and laughter and continues to gain more every day.
Alex’s memory book can be found here.
Featured images via @pancanat20 on Instagram