FORT WORTH (KRLD) - The family of the little 10-year-old girl who died in a Fort Worth hospital after being infected with a brain-eating amoeba, is speaking out.
Ten-year-old Lily Avant was airlifted to Cook Children’s Medical Center last week after contracting the brain-eating amoeba while swimming in the Brazos River in Whitney.
She survived for a week; but sadly Sunday night, Lily lost her battle.
Her aunt, Loni Yadon, says Lily is now in the arms of Jesus.
"It was not the outcome that we hoped for. But we know she is with Jesus and we know we will be with her again," Yadon says.
The family was overwhelmed with the amount of support and prayers sent through their Facebook page #LilyStrong.
"We'd look and there was 5, 10, 15, 25 thousand people following and praying. Her mother would read her the comments left on the page. It was exactly what the family needed at that time," Yadon says.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, while the amoeba is common, infections by it are very rare. And those infected by the amoeba usually die within five days.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to First Bank of Whitney, First National Bank of Bosque Co. or Valley Mills. Donations will go to cover funeral costs and help raise awareness to this type of amoeba