Life is a balance of joy and sorrow, and for 18-year-old Brianna Rawlings, her excitement about expecting her first child was shattered by a devastating diagnosis. At 17 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with NK cell leukemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Faced with a choice between life-saving treatment and protecting her unborn son, Brianna chose to prioritize her baby.

As her pregnancy progressed, complications arose, and Brianna developed a severe infection. Doctors decided to deliver her son, Kyden, via emergency C-section at three months premature. Kyden lived for just 12 days, but those days were filled with love and affection from his mother.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Brianna fought on, undergoing experimental treatments to save her life. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and after two rounds of the drug, the cancer proved too powerful. Brianna passed away on December 29, 2018, at just 19 years old.

Her story is a testament to the strength of a mother’s love and sacrifice.