NEED TO KNOW
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Lizzy Wampler grew up in Missouri. She loved to spend time with her older siblings and enjoyed taking part in gymnastics and ballet
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Though she dreamed of being an ice-skating princess, her life took a sharp turn after she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 9
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Despite her fate, Lizzy is still remembered today by family and friends for her love and laughter
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Joy Wampler died in March 2018 at the age of 10, leaving behind a legacy of courage and love that touched everyone who knew her.
Diagnosed with pediatric bone cancer called osteosarcoma just one year prior, Lizzy faced her illness with remarkable strength.
In a deeply emotional video recently shared by her mother, Jennifer Wampler, Lizzy is seen saying goodbye to her grandfather via FaceTime – a virtual farewell made necessary due to travel restrictions after he had undergone open-heart surgery.
In her final days, Lizzy’s family did everything possible to ensure those closest to her had a chance to say goodbye.
“When Lizzy was first diagnosed…she didn’t fully understand what ‘cancer’ meant – she didn’t have a reference point for it,” Jennifer, 52, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “She heard the word, but her focus was more on the pain in her leg and the fact that she just wanted to feel better.”
As a fourth grader, Lizzy initially experienced what seemed like normal growing pains, but soon she began to limp.
Her pediatrician took the symptoms seriously and ordered an X-ray, followed by an MRI and a biopsy. The tests revealed devastating news: Lizzy had cancer. Nothing could have prepared her family for that diagnosis.
“They initially recommended amputating her leg right away, but we chose to transfer her care to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Jennifer explains. “They removed five inches of her right femur and replaced it with a titanium rod.”
Jennifer Wampler
Lizzy Wampler in the hospital undergoing treatment.
At the time of diagnosis, the cancer was localized and hadn’t spread, giving Lizzy a 70% survival rate. For eight months, she underwent intense treatment, including multiple surgeries, aggressive chemotherapy, and a major limb-sparing procedure.
“It took everything out of her, yet she never stopped smiling, never stopped loving others,” Jennifer recalls. “But the day before her ‘No More Chemo’ party, we got the call that changed everything.”
Scans showed the cancer had returned and spread to Lizzy’s left pelvis. Doctors discussed a possible hip-level amputation, but her right leg showed signs of relapse, leaving Lizzy’s survival rate at just 20%.
“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.”
Jennifer Wampler
Lizzy Wampler at Disney with Make-A-Wish.
Lizzy fought bravely for 15 months. In her mind, the goal was simple: to walk again, get back to school, spend time with her brother and sister, and finally be a kid. However, one day, Lizzy’s oncologist told the family there was nothing more they could do.
She was in constant, severe pain, relying on heavy medications like fentanyl and morphine. Her body was exhausted, and the care team focused on making her remaining days as peaceful as possible.
“In the beginning, we didn’t tell her she might die. We were clinging to hope. But as time went on, and especially after her recurrence, it became harder to protect her from the truth,” Jennifer admits.
“We were seeing other families lose their children, and Lizzy saw that too. The reality of what could happen became clearer, even without us saying it outright,” she adds. “She was incredibly intuitive. She knew.”
With two weeks to live, Lizzy’s family was determined to make her feel as comfortable as possible while saying her many goodbyes.
Jennifer Wampler
Jennifer Wampler, her husband, and three children. (Lizzy wearing green).
“In those final days, I was starving for every moment with Lizzy. I knew our time was short, and I found myself doing everything I could to hold onto her – taking pictures, recording videos, just trying to soak in every part of her,” Jennifer shares. “I didn’t want to forget a single detail – her laugh, her voice, her presence.”
A few of Lizzy’s friends came to visit, but it soon became clear that the reality was too overwhelming for other children to understand. It was simply too much for them to process.
With some family members living several hours away, not everyone could make it to see Lizzy in person.
“My father-in-law had just had open-heart surgery and wasn’t able to travel, so we made the incredibly difficult decision to let him say goodbye to Lizzy over video,” Jennifer recalls. “That’s the moment captured in the video. It was heartbreaking – but it was filled with love.”
New Eden Studio
Lizzy Wampler’s family holding a photo of her.
During the call, Lizzy told her grandfather, Dee, that she was going to miss him, but he assured her that they would see each other again. Dee died in 2021.
“I’ll see you again,” he said over the phone, fighting tears. “I will see you in Heaven.”
As the end neared, the signs were clear as Lizzy stopped eating and drinking and her body was slowly letting go. In those final days, Lizzy’s family remained close, holding her hand, reading to her, and cherishing every last moment together.
After asking her to be brave for so long, her family gently told her she didn’t have to fight anymore; that it was okay to rest.
Jennifer tells PEOPLE she will never forget Lizzy’s response: “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.”
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Lizzy died peacefully on March 15, 2018, at 3:30 a.m. “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,” her mother recalls.
“I was the first person to ever hold her – and I was the last. That is a moment I will carry with me forever,” she adds.
One of Lizzy’s final wishes reflected her gentle spirit. When asked if there was anything she wanted, she simply wished to hold a baby. Her family made it happen, and the moment was captured on video.
Another deeper, more powerful wish of hers was to help others facing the same diagnosis.
Lizzy chose to donate her body to St. Jude, hoping it might lead to a cure for osteosarcoma. Her doctors confirmed the decision was truly hers, and although a full donation wasn’t possible, her tumors were saved for research.
“Today, Lizzy’s tumor samples are being studied on multiple continents, offering hope to future children battling this same cruel disease,” Jennifer reveals. “Even in death, Lizzy wanted to give. She wanted her story – and her sacrifice – to help save someone else’s child.”
Following a friend’s suggestion, the family decided to host a 5K in Lizzy’s honor, and what started as a small effort quickly grew.
Over 500 people joined the first race, with hundreds more participating virtually nationwide. The event raised $30,000, exceeding all expectations.
Since then, the annual Lizzy’s Walk of Faith 5K Walk/Run has become a powerful tribute. By the seventh year, more than 1,500 people took part, raising over $140,000.
New Eden Studios
Lizzy’s Walk of Faith Foundation supporters.
Lizzy’s Walk of Faith Foundation aims to raise awareness for pediatric cancer by funding research for childhood cancer and providing financial support to families going through similar situations to the Wamplers.
“Know that sharing your story or helping others through your pain can be healing,” Jennifer emphasizes. “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.”
To date, the foundation has contributed over $100,000 to St. Jude through events like the annual 5K, and their book, Lizzy’s Walk of Faith: Finding Strength Through Her Struggle, ensures that their daughter’s legacy continues to be honored.
“Lizzy passed away, still needing a cure. But her life – and the strength and compassion she showed through suffering – will never be forgotten,” Jennifer tells PEOPLE. “She taught us how to live with purpose, how to love through pain, and how to believe even when hope feels out of reach.”
Read the original article on People
