A young who sparked a global movement has sadly died after being diagnosed with cancer.
Delaney Krings, from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an incurable brain tumour, in October last year.
At the time, she was given between six and eight weeks to live, and in a bid to give Delaney one final birthday to remember, her mum, Heather, and family started a card drive.
Inspired by her bravery, thousands of people from around the world got involved. Sadly, however, Delaney passed away on Saturday (28 January) at the age of just five.
Announcing the tragic news, Heather shared a photo of her smiling as she climbed a tree, which was captioned: "Our Sweet Angel Baby has gained her wings.
"Delaney Judith Krings. 12.16.2017 — 1.28.2023. Fly high, my sweet baby."
Speaking to Today, Heather said: "Pay some kindness forward in her name. Please know in your heart she's sharing a little bit of her love with you now, too, in the hopes that it helps you find light when it's dark, and find the love when you're sad."
Last Monday (23 January), Heather shared an update on Delaney's condition, saying that the main focus was to make sure her final days were as comfortable as possible
Writing on their CaringBridge page, she said: "As diligently as I try to keep myself together, there are increasingly more moments of unstoppable tears, rage at the universe, and simply empty helplessness.
"We do everything we can to keep her as comfortable and pain free as possible.
"She doesn’t deserve this lot in life. She has been the easiest baby, the sweetest toddler, the most loving and energetic, curious little girl. She has brought so much love and happiness into this world and has made such a positive impact for so many.
"To see her slowly slip away from us in a body that is defying the light of her soul is devastating.
"The only solace we can hold close is that we are doing everything we can to keep her pain free as possible, surrounded with warmth and love to spite the evil taking her from us."
Delaney's parents first became concerned after she got an ear infection that wouldn't go away.
After taking her to the doctors, she had a CT scan which showed that she had developed a tumour on her brain. And on 31 October, she was diagnosed with DMG.
Her story quickly went around the world, with people sharing messages of support to Delaney and her family.
Speaking about the huge card drive, Father Jack Krings told TMJ4 News in Milwaukee: 'I'm just happy she gets to enjoy her birthday.
"There's no way to thank everybody, but, from the bottom of our hearts we appreciate everything."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Cancer Support Community on 888-793-9355 or through their website here
Featured Image Credit: Family handout
Dominic Smithers