A seven-year-old Philadelphia girl with an inoperable brain tumor who was blessed by Pope Francis in November, has passed away, but her family is insisting that the mission of their little saint has only just begun.
FoxNews.com is reporting on the passing of Philomena Stendardo of the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia which occurred yesterday.
Philomena captured the heart of the world last year after she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare, aggressive brain tumor. The family discovered the tumor after she started acting strangely during soccer practice. Unfortunately, the tumor was wrapped around her brain stem and was inoperable.
The devout Catholic family turned to prayer, starting a Facebook page and urging supporters to join them in prayer with the hashtags #PrayforPhil and #StormTheHeavens.
When she was contacted by the Make A Wish Foundation, her wish was to meet Pope Francis, which was made possible in November of last year.
The family had a glimmer of hope earlier this year when they were informed about a new drug under development that stopped cancer cells from developing in the laboratory. At the time, Philomena’s health had declined to the point where she was paralyzed on the right side.
They contacted the “Live Like Bella Foundation” which was created by Raymond Rodriguez-Torres, who lost his 10 year-old daughter Bella to cancer four years ago. The foundation, which supports childhood cancer research, told the Stendardos about the new drug, known as Bio-11006. Developed by North Carolina State University scientist Dr. Kenneth Adler, it was found to stop cancer cells from spreading in the laboratory and was available for compassionate use in children.
Within a few weeks of taking the drugs, Philomena showed some signs of improvemet.
“She gets a little bit stronger each day,” her mother told WNCN.com. “She did just finish her second round of small, like palliative radiation, but I believe it’s 006 that’s making her better.”
Philomena was able to sit up on her own, walk with assistance, and move her right side. She was also able to speak and think much more clearly than she was before she received the drug.
Adler was unable to determine whether the drug was responsible for Philomena’s progress.
“This is just a single patient. Perhaps it was the other therapy she was getting coming to fruition I don’t know,” Adler told WNCN. “It works great in mice. Humans are not mice.”
Unfortunately, the drug was unable to save Philomena’s life.
Even though her fight has ended, the family says their message of prayer will never change.
“Our message has not changed, and it never will. KEEP PRAYING!” the family said on the StormTheHeavens Facebook page.
“Philomena’s purpose was, and always will be, to bring people back to our Lord, WHERE WE ALL BELONG!! Don’t you DARE turn your back on him now. Doing so would break Philomena’s heart. Saint Philomena of Port Richmond is now with the only person who loves her more than Mark and I do. The smile on her face when she went home, and the glow around her, told us all how happy she is. She is in Paradise with the King of Kings,” the family wrote.
“Don’t stop praying. Ever. Pray for a cure; pray that God becomes important to the leaders of the world; pray that God becomes important in every home across the globe.”
Philomena’s work has only just begun, they said.
“Let us all help her complete her mission by keep our eyes where they belong, on the Cross. Saint Philomena of Port Richmond, pray for us.”
The family is asking supporters to continue to pray for a cure for others.
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