Girl Whose Tragic Photo Reduced World To Tears Is Buried After Emotional Funeral

This Picture of Jessica shows the true face of cancer

Hundreds of people have said their final goodbyes to a four-year-old girl who died from cancer.

Just weeks ago, a tragic image of little Jessica Whelan in agony was shared around the world after her dad Andy Whelan said it showed the ‘true face of cancer’.
Jessica, who had been suffering from stage four neuroblastoma, died on Sunday November 20.

Balloons were released and police horses marched through her home town of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire ahead of her funeral, which was attended by about 400 mourners.

Andy said: ‘It was overwhelming to see that amount of people in the church. The amount of support people have shown makes me very emotional.

‘We’ve been to see her daily at the funeral director’s and saw her yesterday one last time to hold her hand and give her a kiss.’
Angel keyrings made by Jessica’s school friends at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Oswaldtwistle were handed to mourners who gathered at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in the town.

Jessica’s pink coffin had a handwritten message from her grandparents reading: ‘Your heart was ready but ours were not, sleep well Princess, love always.’

It was met at the gates to Accrington Cemetery by Jessica’s favourite horses from Accrington Riding Centre, Jessie and Bobbysox.

They led mourners to the crematorium for a private service for friends and family, where they held a celebration of Jessica’s life.

Andy said: ‘Jessica’s mum sang You Are My Sunshine to her every night at the end.

‘We’ll never get over losing her but if, in her short lifetime, she’s managed to inspire people to do more research into childhood cancers and if her organs help someone, that gives us a little comfort.’

Jessica’s organs and tissues will be donated to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

*This is so heartbreaking, may her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen!