Love, courage and happiness: Amelia Kopla's story will continue to live on through us all
Amelia's story is one of courage, resilience, and profound love - and is one that the world will never forget.
This morning, we were given the news that our resilient Black Country princess, eight-year-old Amelia Kopla, from Rowley Regis, sadly passed away surrounded by her family at 5pm on Tuesday afternoon.
The brave youngster had been in and out of hospital since the age of two after being diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that impacts the blastoma cells in children.
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Amelia's story was brought to light when she made a very special wish for her eighth birthday to receive as many birthday cards as possible.
The wish captured the hearts of not just thousands of people across the West Midlands, but hundreds of thousands across the entire world.
From Sandwell to China, thousands of people rushed to their local shop to purchase a colourful card to send to Amelia, desperately wanting to help make her birthday wish come true.
Events and card collections were organised all over the world, with many choosing to dance the iconic Macarena, a dance that was requested by Amelia herself, to help raise awareness for her campaign and bring a smile to the brave girl's face.
And she smashed it. With an original target of 8,000 cards, Amelia was soon gifted with more than 300,000 cards on her birthday - cards had been flown in from Australia, America, China, and South America. Amelia hadn't just captured the hearts of the West Midlands; she had captured the hearts of the world.
Her humble birthday wish had done something unexpected, it brought the world together in profound love, admiration and respect for a young girl's journey in Sandwell.
In Prague, people were dancing the Macarena. In Australia, William Robbins, whose daughter sent a card, said: "We love Amelia; her story is so powerful." In Sandwell, around 2,000 bikers joined together to hand-deliver thousands of cards to her.
Amelia had unknowingly achieved something that all princesses hope to do: bring people together in a common cause.
The eight-year-old's story also helped others who are also coping with similar illnesses. Tracey Scott, aged 43, of Brierley Hill, attended the Macarena birthday event in Merry Hill Shopping Centre; she herself is fighting against breast cancer.
She said: "Her story is so inspirational. Hearing what this little girl is going through, and how hard she is fighting, all while keeping a smile on her face.
"Amelia has helped to keep on fighting. I'm fighting because Amelia is fighting."
Little Amelia's time in this world, while only short, has inspired hope in millions and has helped to give hope to those who need it the most. She represented the very best that humanity hopes to be, courageous, happy and loving.
With each smile, hug and friendly joke, people will remember Amelia's story forever and always.
