PEWAUKEE — The 5-year-old Pewaukee girl who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and who was honored by the community for her final birthday has died.
"I'm sitting here and my heart and soul is shredding," said Heather Krings, Delaney's mom.
In October of 2022, Children's Wisconsin doctors diagnosed Delaney Krings with Diffuse Midline Glioma. They told her and her family she had as long as two months to live.
Delaney's story touched the hearts of thousands who learned that the then 4-year-old would be celebrating her final birthday last Dec. 16.
It prompted the Pewaukee community and others across the world to help throw her a birthday parade unlike any other.
"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, previously told TMJ4 News.
Delaney defied the odds and made it to Christmas where she spent the holiday with her family, but as the weeks continued to pass Heather says her daughter started to slowly slip away.
"It was a lot of loving on her, a lot of holding her and kissing her and talking to her," said Heather. "As the time kind of progressed, you could tell that she was frustrated that her body was not reacting. She wanted to interact, she wanted to play with stuff."
On Jan. 28, Delaney's mother Heather posted to their CaringBridge page that Delaney has since passed away.
And while she was only here for a short time, her family believes little Delaney's legacy, spirit, and love will live on forever.
"I know she's taken care of, we know she's laughing and jumping and running and hanging out with everybody and spreading her love up there," said Heather.
Delaney will be laid to rest this coming Saturday in New Berlin.
Read and watch Taylor Lumpkin's moving story about Delaney below:
Thousands participate in final birthday parade for Pewaukee child battling terminal illness
By Taylor Tumpkin, Dec. 16, 2022
It was a sight that could bring tears to your eyes as car, after car, after car, lined up for miles to say happy birthday to a very special girl.
"I think it's actually just a privilege that the family invited us all to be a part of her journey and her story today," said Sandra Lomeli, a parade participant.
Inside a house sat Delaney Krings and her family who watched the entire birthday parade, just for the 5-year-old, unfold before their very eyes. With appearances from Olaf, Elsa, Mickey Mouse, and more, the parade was the best gift for little Delaney that her family could ever ask for.
"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," said Delaney's dad, Jack Krings.
Physically, Delaney isn't in the best of shape. Heather Krings says the most recent surgery her daughter had, has taken a toll on her body.
"Her vision has been quite impaired from that and that did take away from what little motion she did have in her left arm and leg," said Heather. "We know she hears us, we know she can see. She does have to lift her eyelid up to see a little bit."
Delaney's story about her battle with terminal brain cancer has touched the lives of people across the world.
"I think that the photos and the videos that we've shared of her have really shown people just the light and love that she is," said Heather.
While Delaney's family says celebrating her birthday Friday was a joyous moment, it's also bittersweet. Because deep down they know it'll be her last.
"It is kind of one little bit every day that we see taken away from her," said Heather.
"I hope never nobody ever has to go through this. This is the worst," said Jack.
But until then, her family plans on cherishing and celebrating every last moment with little Delaney in the time they have left.
"Hopefully, she'll make it to Christmas," said Jack.
"One step at a time, baby steps," said Heather.
