10 Year Old Dying Girl Says Goodbye to Her Grandpa Over the Phone

It was 2018 when 10-year-old Lizzy Wampler said goodbye to her loved ones for the last time after losing a fight with bone cancer. Now, her mom, Jennifer Wampler, is sharing about what a bright light she was.

Lizzy’s family learned of her cancer one year before she passed, when they noticed she was limping. The doctor recommended amputating her leg, but her family took her to St. Jude's, where they removed five inches of her right femur and replaced it with a titanium rod.

Lizzy Wampler’s Cancer Was Relentless

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“The cancer was relentless. Lizzy was in so much pain. She had to learn to walk again after every surgery. The nerve pain was unbearable at times,” Jennifer says. “Her small body was traumatized from the sheer volume of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. And yet, she still chose to love. Still chose joy.”

Lizzy stayed strong and focused on getting better, but her cancer took a turn for the worse.

“It took everything out of her, yet never stopped smiling, never stopped loving others,” Jennifer recalled. “But the day before her ‘No More Chemo’ party, we got the call that changed everything.”

She Was Given 20% Chance of Survival

Scans showed that the cancer had spread. Lizzy was given a 20% chance of survival. The family never told Lizzy that she was dying, but they didn’t need to. Lizzy understood.

Family and friends started coming to see her for the last time, but her grandfather had just had open surgery and was unable to travel. He and Lizzy said their goodbyes over video call.

“We made the incredibly difficult decision to let him say goodbye to Lizzy over video,” Jennifer said. “That’s the moment captured in the video. It was heartbreaking – but it was filled with love.”

Lizzy Told Her Grandfather She Would Miss Him

Lizzy told her grandfather, Dee, that she would miss him.

He told her, "I'll see you again. I will see you in Heaven." Dee did eventually join Lizzy in Heaven in 2021.

In her last days, Lizzy’s family told her she didn’t need to fight anymore—that she could rest. Lizzy told Jennifer, “Mommy, what you're asking me to do is really hard. You're asking me to go somewhere you’ve never been… and won’t be for a while. I’ll have to go without you.”

One of Lizzy’s last wishes was to hold a baby. Her mom made it happen and caught it on video. As Lizzy held the baby, she looked at him in awe, marveling at his features.

“His nails, they’re so tiny,” she said.

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@lizzyswalkoffaith Lizzy requested to hold a baby before she passed away. I had a friend whose sister who had just had a baby so she helped fulfill Lizzy last request. I had many mothers who followed Lizzy‘s journey reach out to me and said they would love for Lizzy to find their baby up in Heaven and to hold their baby until they could get there. They even sent us pictures of their babies, Lizzy was overwhelmed and said, I hope I find all these babies and really looked at their pictures and tried to memorize their photos. I still believe that she is up in Heaven with these precious babies until their moms can come and see them again. It truly was a wonderful and holy experience walking with Lizzy on this journey. #heaven #babies ♬ original sound - Jennifer Wampler

Lizzy Passed in March of 2018

Lizzy passed away in peace on Mar. 15, 2018.

“She slowly took the breathing tube out from under her nose, gave me soft little kisses on my right arm, and gently laid her head down one last time,” Jennifer said.

“I was the first person to ever hold her – and I was the last. That is a moment I will carry with me forever," the mom said.

Her Last Wish Was to Donate Her Body to St. Jude’s

Lizzy’s last wish was to donate her body to St. Jude’s so that it could be studied. She wanted to help others with the same diagnosis, osteosarcoma.

“Today, Lizzy’s tumor samples are being studied on multiple continents, offering hope to future children battling this same cruel disease,” Jennifer said. “Even in death, Lizzy wanted to give. She wanted her story – and her sacrifice – to help save someone else’s child.”

Every year, the family hosts a 5k run to raise money for childhood cancer research and to provide support for families with a child with cancer.

Sharing Your Story Can Be Healing

“Know that sharing your story or helping others through your pain can be healing,” Jennifer said. “There’s power in using your grief for good – it doesn’t have to be big or public. Just letting your love for your child shine through can bring comfort to someone else… and to your own heart.”

Jennifer makes videos about Lizzy when she misses her and has shared some of them on TikTok.

Jennifer and her husband, John, also wrote a book about Lizzy and their experience called “Lizzy’s Walk of Faith: Finding Strength Through Her Struggle.”

Lizzy’s Life and Her Strength Will Never Be Forgotten

“Lizzy passed away, still needing a cure. But her life – and the strength and compassion she showed through suffering – will never be forgotten,” Jennifer said. “She taught us how to live with purpose, how to love through pain, and how to believe even when hope feels out of reach.”

It’s amazing that Lizzy was so strong and so sweet while she endured constant excruciating pain. With a grace-filled countenance that never despaired, it’s easy to see why she is an inspiration to others. Now, her spirit is living happily in heaven, pain-free. And her legacy will last forever.

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WATCH: 10-Year-Old Dying Girl Says Goodbye to Her Grandpa Over the Phone

@lizzyswalkoffaith Today, I am sharing a deeply personal and moving video that was captured during one of the hardest times our family has faced. It’s a video of my beloved daughter Lizzy saying goodbye to her dear pop pop. Just seven years ago, Lizzy was given only two more weeks to live, and we gathered all the family members we could to be by her side. Unfortunately, my father-in-law, having undergone heart surgery, was unable to see her one last time. I recorded this emotional moment intending to share it with him, but the pain was too great for him to watch. Remembering Lizzy’s courage and grace during her struggle with osteosarcoma reminds us of the urgency and importance to find a cure for this dreadful disease. As I share these memories, it is with the hope that raising awareness can make a difference. We long for a future where no child has to endure what she did, and where moments like these are no longer necessary. Thank you for allowing us to share our story, and for joining us in the fight for a cure. #grief #fyp #osteosarcoma #dying ♬ Very Sad - Enchan

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/lizzyswalkoffaith

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.