Braylynn Lawhon, the five-year-old girl who was featured in a viral photo next to her sobbing gradfather, has passed away.
Beth Peterson-Hickman, the young girls grandmother, confirmed the news to PEOPLE.
‘It’s a true hell on earth. I feel helpless,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to stay strong for my family.’
Ally Parker, Braylynn’s mum, shared the heartbreaking picture (shown above) of her terminally-ill daughter and father together after being told they will likely die within weeks of each other.
On Monday, the heartbroken Ally wrote: ‘The last time my little girls will ever hold each other’s hands….💔💔💔💔💔’
Braylynn was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma — the most deadly form of brain cancer which has no cure and no survival rate.
Parker’s father suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which renders him unable to speak, but his devastation is carved onto his face.
Our thoughts are with Braylynn’s family at this time.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.