Acadiana Krabbe disease awareness advocate Anniston Bazar has died.
Her family shared that the 5-year-old died on Sunday, April 5 from complications with pneumonia caused by Krabbe.
Anniston became a part of the GMA family when she was two years old as her family worked to bring awareness about Krabbe disease.
During that time, despite being non-mobile and nonverbal, Anniston never let her illness stop her from accomplishing many goals.
One of her biggest, with the help of her family, was getting the Anniston Bazar Act passed in Louisiana.
The Act ensures that other newborns are screened for this fatal disorder. Screenings give newborns a fighting chance with stem cell transplants.
Anniston's family has shared her journey with Krabbe and her many successes on the Always Anniston Facebook page.
In a post on Monday, the family announced Anniston's passing and thanked her many followers.
"We could never be more proud or blessed to have been chosen to care for her. Handing her back to the Lord has been the most difficult thing we have ever had to do," the post reads. "Our little girl who never spoke one word was able to change the lives of thousands."
The family says that funeral services, due to COVID-19, will be private.
They say part of the service will be live streamed via the Always Anniston Facebook page on Friday April 10th at 11 AM CST.
According to the family, a celebration of life ceremony will be held once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Click here to view Anniston's obituary.
