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Delaney Krings, whose battle with terminal cancer moved thousands of people around the world last year to send cards for her fifth birthday, has died.
Delaney, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an incurable pediatric brain tumor, in October 2022 and given six to eight weeks to live.
Delaney’s mother, Heather Krings, 43, wrote on Saturday, January 28, that her daughter had died, twelve weeks after the diagnosis.
“Our sweet angel baby has earned her wings,” she wrote.
She said the family had received an outpouring of love in recent days and urged others to “give a little kindness” on her daughter’s behalf.
Thousands of people around the world responded to the heartbreaking story last year, sending cards to celebrate Delaney’s fifth birthday and organizing a local parade in her honor.
Doctors diagnosed Delaney with cancer in October of last year after an ear infection.
Delaney Krings touched thousands of people around the world to send cards for her fifth birthday in December
Heather Krings (pictured) wrote in a post last week: ‘Hug your people. Love your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Delaney’s illness began with an ear infection that would not go away. After taking her to the pediatrician, a CT scan showed that she had a tumor on both sides of her brain, all the way down to her brain stem.
After Delaney was diagnosed with GDM on October 31, 2022, her parents focused on celebrating their daughter’s life on her fifth birthday on December 16.
A friend suggested a card drive, inspiring the local community and then the nation to send Delaney birthday cards.
The moving story moved thousands of people around the world to send cards to celebrate Delaney’s birthday in December.
Father Jack Krings told TMJ4 News in Milwaukee: ‘I’m happy he gets to enjoy his birthday.
“There’s no way to thank everyone, but from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate everything.”
Hundreds more reacted to Heather’s post on CaringBridge, sharing kind words and their own experiences.
“She’s being called elsewhere to finish her angel work,” her mother told the Daily Mail in January.
NFL Star JJ Watt moved to ship for Delaney’s December birthday
Last Monday, Heather Krings shared an update on the family CaringBridge page, 12 weeks since your daughter’s diagnosis.
“As diligently I try to hold it together, there are more and more moments of unstoppable tears, rage at the universe, and just empty helplessness.
“We do everything we can to keep her as comfortable and pain free as possible. Medications, 24 hour monitoring, making sure she is warm and wrapped in clean butt wraps and the softest blankets and pillows possible.
“Every time she’s awake, which is getting more limited and more distant from each other, we make sure she sees our faces and hears us gently telling her how much we love her. We still get the occasional dot, wave, or snap to let us know her preferences.
She added: ‘She doesn’t deserve that much in life. She has been the easiest baby, the sweetest little girl, the most loving, energetic and curious little girl. She has brought so much love and happiness into this world and has had such a positive impact on so many.
Watching her slowly walk away from us in a body that defies the light of her soul is devastating. The only consolation we can have around her is that we are doing everything possible to keep her pain as free as possible, surrounded by warmth and love to weigh the evil that is taking her from us.
The message ended: ‘Hug your people, love your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.