She captured the hearts of people across the country. But now baby Hermella, whose parents fought to keep on life support, has passed away.
Nirmala Naidoo, family spokesperson from Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society, confirmed Monday Hermella Mammo died Dec. 20 at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear this news. We were hoping the family would be able to spend another Christmas with Hermella, and that they could have their day in court,” Naidoo said.
“The family is taking some time to grieve, and we’re asking for people to give them some privacy during this difficult time.”
Hermella was declared brain dead in August, but her parents, Anna Motsyk and Will Mammo, maintained her condition was improving.
Earlier in December, they won a temporary injunction to stop doctors from taking their daughter off of life support without their consent.
READ MORE: Alberta couple granted more time before doctors may take daughter off life support
When Hermella was two-and-a-half months old, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called an adrenal cortical tumor.
Hermella’s parents said she was cancer-free following chemotherapy. Mammo and Motsyk spent months at her bedside sleeping at the hospital, after she was admitted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in August.
The Lethbridge parents represented themselves in court until two Calgary lawyers stepped forward to offer free legal services. A judge was scheduled to rule on the case on Jan. 4, 2016.
READ MORE: Alberta parents fighting to keep infant daughter alive choose pro bono lawyers
A “do not resuscitate” order remained in place until her death.
Donations that were made through the Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society will now be released to the parents. No further donations will be accepted.
Watch below: A selection of Global’s previous coverage of Baby Hermella’s story
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