Updated:
We’re deeply saddened to report Krystal McConnell has lost her fight with cancer.
Krystal captured the hearts of mothers everywhere last week when she revealed her dying wish was to hold on until her son Lachlan’s 7th birthday on 24 June.
She fulfilled this wish but tragically died this morning, aged 32.
Krystal, who battled Burkitt’s lymphoma, was given just four days to live on 6 June.
There are few things worse than being told you only have a few days left to live, but Krystal fought tooth and nail to see her son’s 7th birthday. We hope she found comfort in the fact she could share this cherished day with her boy and the rest of the family.
“It is with heavy hearts that we wish to let all of Krystal’s family, friends and supporters know that she passed away peacefully,” her friend Casey Grant wrote in a message via her Facebook page.
“Krystal was very grateful for the love and support that everyone provided during this difficult time. Krystal has found her peace, we will see her again soon.”
Our deepest condolences go out to Krystal’s partner, family, friends and three children.
Earlier:
On June 6, Krystal McConnell was told the cancer she was suffering from was inoperable; she was given just four days to live.
Rather than let this terrifying diagnosis hold her back, the mother of 3 is fighting to stay alive, determined to see her son turn seven at the end of this month.
When she first heard cancer she’d been battling against for the past six months had progressed to an inoperable stage, the first thing that crossed the 32-year old’s mind was her three children and her desire to stay alive for June 24, which is her son Lachlan’s seventh birthday.
Krystal’s three children
Krystal was first diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma recognised as the fastest growing human tumour, in January of this year. She was initially told that though it would be a tough fight, it was a curable disease.
Sadly, on June 6 the true extent of the disease was brought to light and Krystal learnt that there was nothing doctors could do to save her.
Krystal told Daily Mail Australia that she knew there was a family history of the disease, but she didn’t want the fear to hold her back from living her life.
Krystal, her partner and her children, Kaylea, 11, Lachlan, 6 and Thomas, 5, live in Darwin and have had an enormous swell of support from the community.
She has spent the last six months undergoing treatment, moving in and out of the hospital and even travelling interstate for various elements of her treatment – not a cheap endeavour by any stretch of the imagination.
Because of mounting costs due to her treatment, Krystal has had a Go Fund Me page set up in her honour.
The opening paragraph of the page reads:
‘Most people who know Krystal know what an amazing person she is. She is a dedicated and loving mum to Kaylea, Lachlan and Thomas. She is a supportive and loyal friend, and a strong and inspirational woman. She is always so full of life, she’s busy, active and truly making the most of every day.’
It’s clear that this is a woman who has been a light in the lives of many people.
So far the page has managed to raise over 24K in just seven days. The goal of the page is to reach 30K and lessen the financial burden that comes with the ongoing care Krystal requires.
It will mean Krystal can spend her final days with her family and contribute to helping her children she will soon have to leave behind.
If you would like to contribute to the Go Fund Me page you can do so here
