These 12 Heartbreaking Parenting Stories From 2017 Will Make You Squeeze Your Loved Ones Tighter

If there's one word to describe Carrie DeKlyen's story, it's tragic. The pregnant mother of five refused to undergo cancer treatment so she could give her sixth child a chance at life. After delivering her daughter, whom the family named Life, at only 24 weeks gestation, Carrie passed away. And to make matters so much worse, Life passed away after spending 11 days at the hospital. The family shared the news in a devastating statement on their Facebook page: "It is with great sadness and a absolutely broken heart that I tell you Life Lynn passed away last night. Carrie is now rocking her baby girl. I have no explanation of why this happened, but I do know Jesus loves us and someday we will know why. The grief we feel is almost unbearable, please be praying for our family."