A 19-month-old girl, Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd, tragically died of aggressive soft tissue cancer on August 9, 2023, after delays and misdiagnoses by NHS healthcare providers.

Her condition rapidly worsened following her initial diagnosis, and her mother blames NHS delays and misdiagnoses for her untimely death, which occurred just days after her 19-month milestone.

Despite a CT scan in May 2023 indicating a cystic lesion, there was a significant delay in referring her to specialists, and the lump grew considerably over months, with repeated follow-ups by her family.

Her mother, Kayleigh Reid, is campaigning for faster diagnostic processes and systemic reforms, emphasizing quicker imaging and reducing suspicions of abuse in cases of facial lumps.

The delays and misdiagnoses have sparked family outrage, with her mother calling for accountability and highlighting the need for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies.

The case underscores critical delays in specialist assessment and biopsies following initial findings, which contributed to the late diagnosis of cancer.

The lump was first noticed by her mother on January 30, 2023, leading to an urgent GP referral, but assumptions of non-accidental injury caused delays in proper diagnosis and imaging.

In January 2025, her mother again noticed a facial lump and sought medical help, but initial assessments quickly suggested non-accidental injury, causing distress and further delays.

Delilah-Rai was eventually diagnosed with soft tissue cancer after an initial benign diagnosis, but treatment was delayed, and she underwent risky surgery that was canceled as her condition deteriorated.

Both NHS trusts involved announced internal reviews on September 12, 2025, to investigate the failures, while her mother is pursuing legal action and raising awareness about pediatric soft tissue cancers.