4-year-old suffering from aggressive cancer passes away

Jessica Whelan, 4, is battling stage 4 Neuro-blastoma, an aggressive cancer of the nervous system. You can help make Jessica's final days as peaceful as possible by donating to GoFundMe.com/CaringForJessica PHOTO CREDIT: ANDY WHELAN

The four-year old girl who touched the hearts of many has passed away after losing her battle with cancer.

Jessica suffered from stage four Neuro-blastoma; an aggressive cancer of the nervous system, and her cancer stopped responding to treatments.

Jessica was brought into the limelight after her father posted a picture of her, highlighting “the true face of childhood cancer.”

The photo has since been shared more than 500,000 times.

Her father posted a message on Jessica’s Facebook page informing supporters that his daughter had found peace and was no longer suffering. He also thanked everyone who had supported and shared her story.

He wrote, “I feel both sadness and relief in informing you all that Jessica finally found peace at seven o’clock this morning. No longer does she suffer; no longer does she feel the pain of the physical constraints of her body.”

“Now my princess has grown her angel wings and has gone up to play with her friends and loved ones. She will now watch down over her little brother and ourselves until one day we are reunited again.”

“Last night she finally allowed me to hold her in my arms and we had a big cuddle as I told her how much I loved her. I told her again that it was okay for her to close her eyes and go to sleep and I kissed her forehead and her lips numerous times. It seems like this is what she needed to finally allow her to find comfort in her passing as within eight hours of this cuddle she finally took her final breath. She was a daddy’s girl from the start and even right up to the end. I feel like a massive part of me has just been torn away but I am so glad that I could give her that comfort in her final hours. She passed peacefully and calmly with not even a murmur.

Thank you to everyone who has shared and has been a part of our journey. I ask now for privacy for us and our family as we mourn the loss of our beautiful princess.

From a heartbroken daddy of the most amazing and beautiful girl.”

Jessica’s family set up a Gofundme page with a goal of raising 20,000 Euros to help give Jessica enjoyment during her last few days.

The page raised over 97,000 euros.