Our warrior Ayden has gained his wings
Brave teen loses fight for life days after family were given new drug hope
A SCOTS schoolboy has tragically lost his battle with cystic fibrosis just days after his family won a fight to access a drug they believed could have helped save his life.
Ayden Cochrane passed after being handed new hope when he was given Trikafta by manufacturer Vertex, despite it not being licensed in Europe and unavailable on the NHS.
The 13-year-old’s family had begged the firm to give him the medicine on compassionate grounds.
Ayden’s condition declined on Sunday with doctors placing him on a ventilator, the day after the Cochranes shared the news that he would be offered the drug.
But his family last night took to social media to announce the tragic news that he has “gained his wings” after losing his battle.
They posted on Facebook: “If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever Ayden.
“I’m absolutely devastated but our precious boy was too tired for this world and has gained his wings.
“We know how many people loved Ayden he was an absolute warrior but he got tired and now he’s at peace and pain free.
“We are without our son for just now but we will see you again.”
Ayden had been at such an advanced stage of illness that two weeks ago he had to discuss his end-of-life care as his mum Tracey, 33, penned a desperate plea to US drug firm Vertex to save her “wonderful boy”.
Trikafta, dubbed by Vertex as “almost a cure”, can’t be prescribed by UK doctors as it hasn’t been granted an EU licence. The only way sufferers can get it is if Vertex provide it under a compassionate-use scheme.
On January 18, the family posted on their official Facebook page, Ayden’s Journey: “Last night was a hard night, at 11pm we were asked to consider withdrawing Ayden’s support as it didn’t look like he was going to make it through the night.
“I think for a long time we have tried to prepare for this but you can never be prepared.
“After a difficult few hours we had a phone call from
Ayden’s consultant to say Vertex had phoned her and they have said yes.
“Vertex have agreed to give Ayden Trikafta on compassionate use.”
We previously told how brave Rangers fan Ayden, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, would “give anything” to play football again and see his siblings start school.
Speaking from his hospital bed, he pleaded: “Please give me Trikafta and let me have the chance to live.
“Right now, it feels like I am suffocating in my own body and I’m trying really hard.
“I would give anything to be able to kick a football around again and it would mean everything to me to be able to see my wee brother and sister start school.”