A deeply moving video recently captured a 6-year-old boy saying goodnight to his younger sister for the last time, touching hearts around the world.

Matt Sooter from Arkansas shared a poignant image of his 4-year-old daughter Adalynn, affectionately known as “Addy,” after she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

Matt expressed his heartache, saying, “A young boy shouldn’t have to say farewell to his partner in adventure, his play buddy, his closest friend, his little sister.”

The photo has resonated with over 8,000 people, and Matt and his wife hope to raise awareness about this rare disease. Please help spread the word.

In November 2016, the Sooter family’s life was upended when Addy was diagnosed with DIPG, a rare tumor that affects the brainstem. After a year and a half of battling the tumor, Addy’s condition rapidly deteriorated.

Matt updated his Facebook followers, noting how quickly Addy’s health had declined in just the past day and a half. Despite still showing flashes of her vibrant personality, Addy was struggling to eat and swallow, prompting the family to seek urgent medical care. Matt feared that time was running out.

As Addy’s condition worsened, Matt reached out to friends and family, asking them to keep Addy’s older brother, Jackson, in their thoughts and prayers. Jackson was reluctant to leave his sister’s side.

Tragically, shortly after Jackson said his final goodnight to Addy and told her he loved her, she passed away.

The Sooter family later posted on their Hope for Addy Joy – Fighting DIPG Facebook page, announcing that their daughter had passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. They described her final moments as being filled with determination and calm, free from pain.

In honor of Addy’s generous spirit, the family donated her tumors to research in the hopes of helping to find treatments for other children facing similar battles. They wrote, “Our sweet girl loved helping people and giving gifts, so we felt this was a fitting tribute to her giving heart.”

The impact of DIPG is heart-wrenching, especially when it affects young children. Rest in peace, dear Addy.