A Family's loss; a community unites and Heaven receives an Angel

The Latest on Shelby. May she forever rest in Peace in the armms of her God.

http://www.wdsu.com/mostpopular/26885960/detail.html


NEW ORLEANS -- Shelby Leonhard, the teen whose need for a rare type of blood and platelets to fight non-Hodgkins lymphoma sparked a community-wide outpouring of donations, has died.

She was 14.

Leonhard was a student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. She was admitted to Children's Hospital on Jan. 19 for fluid in her lungs, and she was soon diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors at Children's Hospital said the teenager suffered respiratory arrest after complications with chemotherapy.

“She's not producing any platelets and platelets are critical in helping us stop bleeding, and right now unfortunately, she's bleeding from multiple areas,” said Dr. Tim Pettitt, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, said last week.

Leonhard's father, Tom, asked for help from the community last week in getting the rare type of A-negative blood Shelby needed in her battle against the disease.

The response was overwhelming. The Blood Center extended its hours at all area locations in order to accommodate the influx of people wishing to donate in Shelby's name.

Shelby's parents released the following statement Wednesday morning: "Last night, our beautiful, brave and beloved Shelby went into the arms of God. It was a peaceful ending in a room filled with love. Our family wishes to sincerely thank each and every one of you for the many prayers and love you have showered on our precious daughter and our family. Please continue to pray for us, especially Barrett and Reese. Please pray that Shelby's loving soul is at peace."

"We would ask also that you continue to praise God. He gave us such a precious gift and we feel privileged to have taken this journey with Shelby and with all of you. She belongs to us all, but above all, she belongs now, to God."

The Academy of the Sacred Heart will have a blood drive in Shelby's honor on Feb. 24. It will run from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 4301 St. Charles Ave. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 504-269-1201.