Dad shares heartbreaking post after baby daughter's tragic death
A news reporter has shared the devastating loss of his nine-month-old daughter to cancer in a heartbreaking post to social media.
CNN anchor Andrew Kaczynski and his wife Rachel Louise Ensign, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, lost their daughter Francesca on Christmas Eve.
The baby endured months of aggressive treatment for an extremely rare rhabdoid brain tumour and had recently contracted a fungal infection due to a complication with her chemotherapy.
She underwent brain surgery for the cancer and because of the infection, had to be placed on life support.
Her family made an eleventh hour plea for prayers shortly before she died.
“If anyone can spare a prayer for our Bean this Christmas, would just ask they include Francesca in their thoughts and hope for a Christmas miracle for our family,” Kaczynski wrote in a tweet.
Hours later, the couple announced that Francesca had taken her final breath.
“We’re heartbroken to have to announce our beautiful daughter Francesca passed away last night in the arms of her mom and dad. There will always be a Bean-sized hole in our hearts for her. We’re so grateful to have known her love. Francesca we love you,” another tweet read.
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Heartbroken dad shares daughter’s obituary
Kaczynski also uploaded an obituary for his little girl, also known as “Bean, Beanie or Beans”.
“In her short life, Francesca was an outgoing, bold and curious baby. She had huge, deep brown eyes that followed whatever her parents were doing. She loved eating and being held close, particularly in the evenings,” part of the obituary read.
“A Brooklyn-based Sesame Street fan, Francesca enjoyed taking long walks around New York City and Boston, playing with her toys and balloons, attending speech therapy, and “petting” (i.e. grabbing) her cat Ryland.
“Her many smiles sent a thrill through the world. She was so generous with them, even when most of the smiles back were covered by masks and even when she faced challenges that would scare an adult, like a cancer diagnosis or being born with hearing loss.”
Her parents asked that in leu of flowers or any other gifts, donations could be made to the PMC Winter Cycle charity event which donates raised money to the Cancer Institute.
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