Family Devastated After 16-YO High School Athlete Dies Within 24 Hours of Cancer Diagnosis | “It Was Just a Nightmare”

A Philadelphia family is absolutely stunned and devasted by the loss of their child. They are now grieving after their 16-year-old son who suddenly died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with cancer. Kyle Limper recently died of a blood infection caused by leukemia, according to his obituary. The death has come as a shock to the family who said he "was a completely healthy and happy young man with no sign of illness. It just came and took him in the same day. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by supporting and loving people."

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects one's red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is believed to be the most common cancer in children younger than 15. Its symptoms include fever and fatigue, and it can turn worse in a matter of days or hours if left untreated, according to the National Cancer Center.

HuffPost reports that the teenager was suffering from back pain one day after a recent basketball game. He was taken to a hospital to be checked out and was told to come back in a few days if he began to feel worse. But he did begin to feel worse and at one point he couldn't even stand up. That's when they rushed him to Philadelphia's St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. The family soon learned the teen was battling leukemia, and his organs were shutting down. “It was just a nightmare,” Limper said. “It was just like every time we came back into the [hospital] room, it was just getting worse and getting worse.”

He spent 24 hours at St. Christopher's and then passed away, much to the devastation of his family who never saw this coming. Limper is now remembered as someone who "loved to embrace the best of what life had to offer him.” 

The late teen was a high school football player for Kensington High School and also wrestled and ran track. Limper dreamed of going to college to study criminal law and be part of the CSI or the FBI. He is survived by his Mother Josephine (Jodi) Taffe, Father Kenneth Limper, Brother Justin Taffe, and Sister Kaitlyn Petner. "The mark Kyle left on all our hearts is incomparable to anything in this world. He did more in his short 16 years and touched more lives with his selflessness, generosity, friendship, and love than most would in a lifetime." his obituary read. A GoFundMe was also set up to help "assist with the medical and funeral expenses as well as any support services for his siblings and family."

References:

https://www.mcelvarrfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Kyle-Limper

https://www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-kyle-limper

https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/it-was-just-a-nightmare-philadelphia-teen-dies-suddenly-within-24-hours-of-cancer-diagnosis

Cover Image Source: GoFundMe