Emerara Kennedy dies of cancer Maryborough hospital misdiagnosed as urine infection

On the day of their four-year-old daughter’s funeral, devastated parents say she could still be alive had a Queensland hospital not misdiagnosed her cancer as a simple infection.

The heartbroken parents of a little girl, who died of an aggressive cancer, say a misdiagnosis might have robbed their daughter of a real fighting chance at beating the disease.

Emerara Kennedy, 4, died on September 20 after a brave battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Her father, Jamie Lewis said his daughter was diagnosed in November 2021 and was given a 50/50 chance of survival.

Emerara Kennedy lost her brave battle against cancer on September 20.

However, her parents had known there was something wrong for some time

Mr Lewis said Emerara had been taken to Maryborough Hospital four months before where she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.

On a repeat visit, with the same symptoms, Ms Kennedy said her daughter ended up getting an ultrasound after they “flat out refused to leave”.

She said she knew the “whole time, something was wrong” as her daughter, who had “loved” food, had lost her appetite.

Ms Kennedy said she told the doctors at the hospital they would not leave the room until further tests were performed.

Brave Emerara Kennedy, 4, lost her battle with cancer on September 20.

The ultrasound found “possibly a lump or a blockage,” Ms Kennedy said

Emerara was sent to Queensland Children’s Hospital for a scan and biopsy of her kidney mass and it was only then that the dreaded diagnosis was delivered.

Mr Lewis said throughout the cancer battle, his daughter never stopped fighting.

At times the chemotherapy worked and at times it didn’t,” he said.

“Emerara had a very rough cancer fight and fought for 10 months.

“It never, ever broke her spirit.

“She kept fighting even up until her last week, telling me she didn’t want to become a cancer angel.”

In June, after chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow harvest, Mr Lewis and Ms Kennedy were told there was nothing more that could be done.

Emerara Kennedy, 4, fought a brave battle against cancer.

A type of chemo immunotherapy was attempted with early success but had stopped working.

Doctors then tried radiation to try and shrink tumours only for them to continue their spread through her body.

“Words cannot explain what I saw my daughter go through,” Mr Lewis said.

“Cancer is a very slow, painful death.”

The parents want to know why it took so long for the right diagnosis.

In response, a Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service spokesman said “the death of any young person is an absolute tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to any parent or family who has experienced the loss of a child”.

“We strive to provide care, connection and compassion for all, prioritising the health and safety of our patients and communities.

Jamie Lewis with his daughter Emerara Kennedy, 4, during her cancer battle.

“In line with this, we are bound by a strict duty to protect confidentiality and privacy.

“We are therefore unable to comment on individual patients or consumers, including in this particular instance and we offer our deepest condolences to the parents and family.

“We recognise that medical treatment is sensitive and can sometimes be complex; even more so in a situation involving the loss of a child.

“WBHHS will make contact with the family when appropriate to offer support during this difficult and challenging time and is open to addressing any concerns they may have.

“We encourage people to contact the service directly to talk through any concerns, to identify supports required and to work in partnership to seek understanding as to why and how clinical decisions are made.”