Cancer is an abominably heinous disease. The moment a diagnosis is made, the difficult treatments, and the possibility of having to say goodbye to loved ones.
Being a parent makes it much more difficult to observe tiny children suffering from this dreadful sickness. Simply told, it’s enough to break even the strongest of hearts.
When I see photos of Delaney Krings, it’s difficult for me to understand why a little child and her family should have to go through such a traumatic experience.
Delaney Krings of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in October 2022. Delaney was just four years old when her family heard the devastating news.
According to the Facebook page For The Love of Delaney, the family’s tragedy began when Delaney went to the doctor for a very minor ear complaint. Her parents, Heather and Jack, took her to the doctor, who diagnosed the young child with an ear infection and prescribed suitable therapy.
Although Delaney’s condition appeared to be improving at first, there were still signs that something wasn’t right, such as a loss of balance.
Her parents began to have serious concerns about their daughter’s health and began to trust their senses. They took her to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, where physicians ran a battery of tests to figure out what was wrong with the 4-year-old.
Not long after that, Heather and Jack’s adorable daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor called DMG (diffuse midline glioma). It was fatal.
“For a minute, your heart pauses. The world comes to a halt. You can’t breathe, so you simply attempt to comprehend everything. “Did you know she’s four?” Heather explained.
Delaney’s life expectancy was only six to eight weeks, and her story could have stopped there. Instead, her family’s desire to ensure she had the best birthday possible turned her health battle into a worldwide sensation.
“The type of cancer she has, DMG, has very little positive response to any current treatment available,” Heather explained on CaringBridge.
“In addition, the severity and size of her tumor when it was discovered effectively sealed her fate just 12 weeks ago.” I’ve spent months reading medical textbooks, research papers, etc., etc., and have found very little optimism in any of them.”
Delaney celebrated her fifth birthday on December 16. Everyone in attendance knew it would be her last. Her family wanted to provide her with a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration, so they ordered greeting cards from all around the world.
They were ignorant of the public’s reaction to Delaney’s account.
“We have stickers for all of the locations where the cards have come from on the maps that we have up, so Laney can see that she’s got love from all over the world from people she doesn’t even know.” And it’s taking off. “I believe 400 cards were mailed today,” Heather stated in December.
“As long as she understands what’s going on, she can laugh, hear, see, she knows us, she remembers us.” You must ignore the clock because what is our objective here? To make the most of whatever time she has left.”
In the end, the sweet little girl received nearly 15,000 birthday cards and hundreds of video tributes from family, friends, and strangers all around the world. The Wisconsin Truck Takeover Enthusiasts organized a special birthday march for Delaney, attracting up to 500 vehicles and parade participants.
”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,” Delaney’s dad, Jack Krings, told TMJ4 News in Milwaukee.
Sadly, Delaney passed away on Jan 28.
“Our Sweet Angel Baby has gained her wings. Fly high, my sweet baby,” Delaney’s mother, Heather, wrote on CaringBridge and posted a photo of her daughter with the caption: “Delaney Judith Krings. 12.16.2017 — 1.28.2023. Fly high, my sweet baby.”
In an update on the GoFundMe page created to support Delaney’s family, organizer Judy Krings wrote:
“Like a flower that we see the beauty of for only a while, we all cherished every single day of Delaney’s 1,869 days on earth”. To those she knew and those she never met, she made us all better people. Make her proud of you. Your heart, like ours, may be broken. But a broken heart has spaces that can now be filled with the glue of love. Enjoy the love of life in heaven Delaney.”
Delany’s mother now wishes for her daughter’s legacy to be “a ripple of simple acts of kindness.” This world needs more love, and I believe she was sent here to deliver it. Pure and straightforward love.”
No parent likes to watch their child suffer, and they would go to any length to make them happy again.
However, despite our best efforts, hopes, and prayers, certain things are simply beyond our control.
My heart breaks for this poor little girl and her family. May you rest in peace, Delaney, and may you be grateful for the way your smile and bravery touched the world.
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