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Heersche family
Undated photo of Taylor Heersche
What was supposed to be a welcome-home parade instead turned into a somber candlelight vigil for a terminally ill 15-year-old Kansas girl who died hours before she was to return home.
Residents of the town of Mulvane had decorated Main Street with ribbons and signs in orange — the color of leukemia awareness — to welcome Taylor Heersche home Tuesday evening, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Taylor had been terminally ill with cancer and had told her family she wanted to be at home to die. Doctors at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City told the family she had only a few more days to live, so the plan was to release her to be with her family and friends.
But Taylor passed away Tuesday morning at the hospital, with her parents, DeAnne and Dan Heersche, at her side.
Instead of the parade, Mulvane residents gathered for a candlelight vigil late Tuesday to honor the Mulvane High School sophomore, the Eagle reported.
“I’ll bet every parent says that their kid was special. But she was a real people person. There were no strangers,” DeAnne Heersche said of her daughter, according to the Eagle.
“That kind of kid leaves a huge hole not only in our family, but in the community. We’re all going to miss her horribly.”
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"It's still a homecoming in our eyes, it's just a different home that she's going to, a better home that she's going to, so it's more of a celebration than the grief," Maggie Keys, one of Taylor's classmates, was quoted as saying by KWCH-TV.
Taylor, a sophomore at Mulvane High School, was diagnosed with the leukemia in May 2008 when she was 10.
Taylor's leukemia had been in remission for several years following chemotherapy. But last winter the cancer returned aggressively.
Services are Sunday at Central Community Church in Wichita, with a private burial Monday.
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God just needed a new Guardian Angel for some struggling teen. Couldn't have picked a better one.
Rest in the palm of HIS hand.
So sad. But yet so many evil people are allowed to live to a ripe old age.
The same observation was made in the Biblical books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiates three millenia and more ago, and they didn't really come up with satisfactory answers back then, either, so I doubt that we shall.
Seth: since you seem to know so much, how about this....after you die, come let us all know what really happens?~! What a moron you are....it's none of your business what the rest of us believe, think and feel...one person's perception IS their reality and you don't have to agree with it, just keep your mouth shut!
I don't necessarily believe in an afterlife, but my heart goes out to the family who lost their precious child and I can still wish them peace in the memories they have of their child.
As a parent, my heart goes out to the family; may God be with them in the hour of their loss.
All too often, families are destroyed by major health emergencies. I hope the family survives the financial ruin that accompanies cancer. Doctors and hospitals and insurance companies make the most money on cancer therapy. It is sad that some gain wealth by charging exhorbitant fees to afflicted families.
Like the big drug companies, the insurance industry always profits from the pain of others.
She is in heaven now, where all the ugly illnesses cannot hurt her anymore.
Rest in peace angel.
You might think that by this time, in the advanced technological age of this 21st. Century, we would have a cure for this dreadful disease. What a sad story. I have a 15 year old granddaughter. This brought me to tears. Amen.
They do have a cure. They have a cure for Aids, Cancer, Leukemia, Diabetes, The Clap, and all those things. The government just won't ever "release" such cures, because it would destroy the multi-trillion dollar drug-manufacturing industry.
Do you realize that (supposedly) we haven't found a cure for a disease since POLIO? With our "21st century technology," as you alluded to. That's a LIE, plain and simple.
bek7567 -
I'm sure that your conspiracy theories keep you warm at night, as you sit there stoking your anger over how the entire world is against you, and how EVERYONE is out to keep YOU down.
But the rest of us accept a few things about life - some things aren't fixable, not because people are trying to do the dirty on us by hiding it for their own greedy purposes, but because some things are beyond anyone's current ability to fix. Don't worry, one day you'll get over yourself. Trust me - the world does NOT care enough about you, and your paranoia, to bother *trying* to "keep you down." We have better things to do.
Like trying to console a family who has lost a loved one. I pray for the whole family and all of her friends to find peace as easily and swiftly as God can give it to them. Sorry guys.
It's amazing to read all of these posts. I'm a close family friend of the Heersches and felt compelled to reply.
The family was told of a cure - a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, our dear Taylor was unable to come to the health stage needed in order for the transplant to work. I am confident that the medical professionals did everything in their power to try and make this happen. Perhaps I'm an idiot when it comes to conspiracies and with-held truths -- but seeing so many comments just makes me giggle. This is exactly the effect our Taylor had on people. She brought the truth to light and was able to get people to talking. Cancer is an awful thing. My heart breaks as I read some of your testimonies.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Taylor. She truly was an incredible gal who didn't hesitate to speak in front of throngs of people about her struggles or reach out to others who might be experiencing similar life pains. Regardless of your belief systems, she had a story to tell and was, and continues to be, an inspiration to all who knew her. Her confidence, however, in her next journey was her biggest lesson. Belief is a powerful tool.
The nation-wide story here is not that a town rallied around a child -- which is pretty amazing in itself. It's that Taylor had that kind of effect on people. One teenage girl has stirred thousands to remember how to love their family, believe in what's important, and to understand that a voice, no matter how small, should be heard.
And even though this is one small post, late at night... I'm taking my lead from Taylor who taught me to just say what's important when it's time to say it.
Grace and peace to you all.
Rest in peace. Wonderful to see her community supporting her.
This world is such a piece of trash. All the girl wanted was to be allowed to die at home. Is that too much to ask God/Allah/Buddha/Bill Gates/or whomever runs the universe? Apparently so.
But I'll tell you what; if I was running it all, I'd be ashamed of myself. Call that "blasphemy" if you like. I just call it sad and totally cruel/unreasonable.
Heaven is yours now, RIP Taylor...Prayers for the family and loved ones!!!
I have been and am Stage 4. God doesn't want me yet, shows only the good die young...
So sad and such a tragedy for this young lady and her grief stricken family.
GOD BLESS YOU
Prayers and condolence to the family and friends. I just love the way the young lady put it: She is just going to a different home. Great story, very sad but there is going to be bumps in this road of life.
I too am a patient and one thing this article hinted at but tactfully danced around is this:
It really sucks when you're in the middle of October watching all the support for breast cancer patients and hear their victory stories while you slowly die from Lukemia and nobody seems to care. Does this sound tactless? Yes. But try slowly dying from Lukemia before you judge me.
John,
you may contact me, I know...and care! use my name and @ live.com put Cancer in subject. no period after middle initial I am a stage 4, also
David
Taylor is out of pain and in a good place now. I weep for her Mother who will always remember and each day cry and laugh. A child touches your heart forever.
This has brought me to tears. However, she has, indeed, gone to a better place. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the community who so loved her. Damn, here come the tears again.
it is always so sad to read stories like this. and this poor child just wanted to spend her last days at home with her family and friends but sadly did not make it home. and for the "people" on here that have to use every oppertunity they get to announce what they do or do not believe in, who cares? cant you just say something kind about a innocent child dying without leaving disgusting ignorant remarks? lets just hope when your time comes someone can find something good to say about you. r.i.p. little angel, im sure you will be missed
Prayers to the family.
I lost my wife of 42 years, due to the effects of chemo, it treated the skin cancer, but at the same time, deteriorated her lungs, and she died of respitory failure, the dermatologist/oncologist, failed to tell us, that the chemo, would have an adverse effect on her lungs, it wasnt until a month before she died, that our daughter found out about the chemo drug, by then it was too late.
During the last few months, of my dear wifes life, she truly defined the words strength, courage, and love. Its not the HMOs or insurance companies, who fail us, its the Doctors, who just pass us thru their offices, in a quick visit, to get to the next patient, so they can get to their golf game, or tea party, on time.
May the Angels hold Taylor close, and God comfort her family.
God Bless your family......I am so sorry.....and as a parent I cant even began to know what that family is going through.......
My name is Christopher White, I had Leukemia when I was little so I know what she was going through, the pain she was in. My heart and my prayers go out to the friends and family of Taylor.
If you wish to talk my e-mail is bandit133@magtel.com, drop me a line anytime.
Congratulations on your remission. I am 9 years in remission from this horrible disease. Nothing worse that ports, chemo, transfusions, daily needles, etc. Wishing you a healthy future!
I'm so sorry!! (tears down my face) I worked with High school kids for years... they're GREAT! I had two girls go on to college and appreciate the effort and stamina it takes to raise high school era kids! I seriously am sad for your loss... apparently she was a WONDERFUL person! >:(
Will we ever stop this thing called cancer!Lost to maney to it!
My husband , Mike & I spent many wonderfully happy years living there in Mulvane, KS. We lived at 415 S Central & left in 8/92 to move to Maryland for my husband to attend UMBC. The college that led to Shock Trauma that R Adams Cowley started with "The Golden Hour Rule". We always wanted to return, the town was very warm & welcoming. God bless the young lady & God bless her family. Am now in Loveland, Colorado at 365 E 10th St 80537-4891 & would love to hear from anyone there! Truly want to return!!
My prayers are with the family. God has taken her from her pain and home.
Cantakenomore.....Hang in there. I know only to well what you are going through. Cherish the good days and Love her sweeter the bad days. Bless your wife and yourself. You sound like a wonderfully caring man so your wife has to be wonderful and caring too. Best of everthing to you both.
So sad. Thoughts and prayers for this family. Devastating and heartwrenching. Cannot imagine losing a child.
Rest in Peace Taylor...may God bless and keep you. Thoughts and Prayers to the family and friends at this difficult time.