Anna Yu loses battle with rare cancer hours after receiving CDU degree

Anna Yu is being remembered as a brave mother and dedicated student as her loved ones now rally to preserve the legacy she fought to build in her short life.

Loved ones and the university community have paid tribute to a 28-year-old Darwin student who lost her battle with a rare form of brain cancer.

Anna Yu died on Saturday, just hours after receiving her accounting degree from Charles Darwin University in a special ceremony.

Ms Yu leaves behind her husband Will Hou and their five-month old daughter Sunny.

Close friend and fellow mothers’ group member Cherry Cai said there was lots she would miss about Anna.

“She always has a big smile on her face — I can still remember her sweet and gentle voice,” she said.

“She is very generous and willing to help and support others without return.”

Ms Cai said Anna remained positive throughout her health battle, wanting to help others in similar situations.

“She was a very positive person when we were sad and felt that life was not fair to her,” she said.

“She was thinking about others and looking for ways that she can do to improve general healthcare.

“She wanted to share her story and call the public to attach more importance to general healthcare, medical resources, and skills with the hope that other people in the future can be diagnosed in the early stage and will have a chance to live.”

Ms Cai said she would do what she could to support the family.

“Sunny will be embraced by lots of love from our mother group and the Darwin community, and the community are supporting you in different ways to go through the most challenging time,” she said.

CDU Acting Vice Chancellor Sam Jacob said the university community was “deeply saddened” at Ms Yu’s death.

“Beyond her studies, Anna made an important contribution to student life at the university,” they said.

“She was a dedicated member of the CDU Student Council and used her experience in financing and accounting to maintain the student council budget as treasurer.

Anna Yu received her masters degree in the Darwin private hospital. Picture NCA NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell

Mx Jacob said the entire CDU community expressed their sympathies to Ms Yu’s family.

“Anna was a brave and dedicated student who continued her studies while she was in hospital and will be sorely missed by our students and staff,” they said.

Charles Darwin University’s Student Council is holding a fundraiser on Friday to raise money to support Ms Yu’s loved ones.

The event will be held at the campus and include a student concert following a barbecue.

Will Hou kisses his wife as their daughter Sunny looks on. Picture NCA NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell

It was originally slated as a way a campaign to raise money for Ms Yu’s treatment and prolong her life, but instead will become a way for her fellow students and friends to remember their “dear Anna”.

The group has put on the event in an effort to “celebrate her life and reflect on the beautiful young woman she was, and the lives she’s touched with her incredible story”.

A GoFundMe set up for Ms Yu has so far raised $58,185.

Mr Hou said he was so grateful for all the donations his family had received, and it was “peaceful” knowing of all the support.

He said will use the money to raise his baby girl, Sunny, who reminds him of his wife.