A five-year-old girl who inspired a heartwarming global card drive in celebration of her birthday has sadly passed away.
Delaney Krings of Pewaukee, Wisconsin was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an incurable pediatric brain tumor in October and was given between six and eight weeks to live, per the Daily Mail.
Her illness began with an ear infection that wouldn't go away. A CT scan revealed that the then-four-year-old had a tumor on both sides of her brain that went all the way to the brain stem.
Krings celebrated her fifth birthday on December 16 and the family was keen to make it a memorable occasion, with one friend suggesting a card drive.
What started off as asking the local community to send Krings birthday cards turned into a nationwide and then a global story which moved thousands to send their well-wishes.
As well as thousands of cards being sent to the five-year-old, a hometown parade was organized in her honor, giving her the best final birthday possible.
On January 24, Krings's mother Heather shared a post on the Caring Bridge page which gained followers from all across the world.
She revealed that the youngster was receiving care to make her "comfortable" as she reached the last stages of her battle.
Her mother wrote: "Typically, I would apologize for the duration of time between my updates. However, from here on, I will not. I will not apologize for spending every minute focusing on providing as normal a daily life as I can for B and C (referring to her older daughter, Brooklyn, 12, and son, Carson, 11).
"We do everything we can to keep her as comfortable and pain free as possible. Meds, 24 hour monitoring, ensuring she is warm and swaddled in clean butt wrappings and the softest blankies and pillows possible."
Sadly, a post by Krings's mother revealed that the five-year-old passed away just days later on January 28.
"Our Sweet Angel Baby has gained her wings," the post read. "Delaney Judith Krings - 12.16.2017 - 1.28.2023 - Fly high, my sweet baby."
Heather said that her family has been showered with love in recent weeks, and urged others to pay kindness forward in memory of her daughter.
"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," the January 24 post read.
It ended: "Hug your people, love your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed."
Our thoughts are with Delaney Krings' family, friends, and supporters around the world at this heartbreaking time.
