5-YO Girl Battling Terminal Brain Cancer Dies | She Received Cards for Her Last Birthday From People Across the World

"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," her mom wrote.

Cover Image Source: Facebook | Heather Writt Krings

By Suchitra B

January 30, 2023

Posted January 30, 2023

The Krings family of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is suffering a traumatic loss. In October 2022, Delaney Krings, 5, received the heartbreaking news that she had terminal brain cancer. Late on Saturday, January 28, Delaney's mother, Heather Krings, posted the news of Delaney's passing to the family's CaringBridge page. "Our Sweet Angel Baby has gained her wings," Heather captioned an adorable photo of her child all-smiles while climbing a tree, adding, "Delaney Judith Krings. 12.16.2017 — 1.28.2023. Fly high, my sweet baby."

Heather shared with TODAY that the best way to remember Delaney is through kindness. "Pay some kindness forward in her name," she says. The mother of three shares that she feels like all the love and affection that the family has been receiving is symbolic of the love Delaney left behind. "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," Heather added.

Delaney, who was 4 at the time, received a diagnosis of Diffuse Midline Glioma (a rare type of cancerous brain tumor) on October 31, 2022. Her parents were informed by doctors at Children's Wisconsin hospital in Milwaukee that she probably only had about six to eight weeks to live.

The family wanted to go forward and celebrate Delaney's fifth birthday on December 16. One of Delaney's friends suggested a card drive to commemorate her milestone birthday after she learned about her condition. Thousands of cards arrived in Wisconsin from all around the world, even from scientists conducting research in Antarctica. Many participated in a parade for little Delaney, per TODAY.

4-year-old Delaney Krings was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the end of October. Cards for her 5th birthday on December 16 are pouring in from all over the world.
"She's being called elsewhere to finish her angel work," her mom told me. pic.twitter.com/hGg9BZKOlE
— Kendall Keys (@KendallKeysTV) December 8, 2022

The family created a public group too on Facebook, to spread the love for Delaney. "The outpouring of love has left me speechless and those of you who know me personally know that my favorite thing to do is talk. But truly what a blessing you have all been to Delaney and her family," a post by a family friend read.

At the time, Heather said to TODAY, “It’s a little overwhelming. She’s got so much love pouring in,” adding that the young girl even got a wish from JJ Watt. The grieving mother had shared that the family was struggling to accept that such a source of light and love like Delaney will be taken out of the world. "Going from a little over a month ago, having three healthy, bouncing, bubbly kids, to knowing you're going to have to plan a funeral with a tiny coffin and you're going to have to say goodbye to that source of joy and light and love that you only had a short time," Heather shared the frustration she felt as a mom, per CBS 58.

"Hug your people, love your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed."

Delaney's mom, Heather Krings, shared an emotional update on her daughter and what it's like to care for a dying child.

📸: Heather Krings https://t.co/lWnxMiHV1U pic.twitter.com/CaWaCud0nO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 28, 2023