CNN reporter Kaczynski 'heartbroken' after 9-month-old daughter dies of cancer on Christmas eve

CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski and his wife, Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Louise Ensign, have lost their 9-month-old daughter Francesca to cancer. The heartbroken couple announced the death of their daughter on Christmas Eve, reported People. “We're heartbroken to have to announce our beautiful daughter Francesca passed away last night in the arms of her mom and dad," tweeted Andrew Kaczynski. "There will always be a Bean-sized hole in our hearts for her. We're so grateful to have known her love. Francesca, we love you." Kaczynski had announced in September that their daughter was diagnosed with an “extremely rare and very aggressive rhabdoid brain tumor."

The CNN reporter has been updating followers on his baby daughter's battle with cancer. Francesca underwent brain surgery in recent weeks after she had a fungal infection as a result of a complication from her chemotherapy treatment. "Francesca is the strongest person and most resilient person. Less than a week ago she had two brain surgeries and she's already at home and smiling. I'm confident she will fight this," Andrew Kaczynski tweeted on Sept 12. She was put on a ventilator and life support. Kaczynski was hoping for a turn in fortune and tweeted asking for prayers. "If anyone can spare a pray for our Bean this Christmas, would just ask they include Francesca in their thoughts and hope for a Christmas miracle for our family," wrote the CNN reporter. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Francesca passed away on Christmas Eve. 

Kaczynski wrote a heartfelt obituary to his daughter along with his wife, Rachel Louise Ensign, that was published on Friday. They described her as an "outgoing, bold and curious baby.” They often referred to her as Bean, Beanie, or Beans. “She loved eating and being held close, particularly in the evenings. A Brooklyn-based Sesame Street fan, Francesca enjoyed taking long walks around New York City and Boston, playing with her toys and balloons, attending speech therapy, and 'petting' (i.e. grabbing) her cat Ryland,” They wrote. “Her many smiles sent a thrill through the world. She was so generous with them, even when most of the smiles back were covered by masks and even when she faced challenges that would scare an adult, like a cancer diagnosis or being born with hearing loss,” They added.

They also thanked the staff for working their best during the time she was admitted to the hospital. "Everyone at Boston Children’s Hospital treated Francesca with remarkable love and kindness. Doctors and nurses would gasp with joy when they saw her smile as they entered her room. She adored music therapy and had some of her first big laughs playing with a balloon of Elmo, her favorite Sesame Street character, from the hospital gift shop during occupational therapy. On Halloween, she dressed up with her nurses in a homemade Pasta Fagioli costume," recalled Kaczynski. “Francesca showed her parents a kind of love they never knew before and they will never forget it,” he said.

The reporter said anyone who wanted to support them during this dark time could send flowers, food, or gifts of any kind, donations in honor of Francesca to the PMC Winter Cycle charity event, which donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "My 2021 PMC Winter Cycle will be in memory of Baby Francesca (aka Beans) with 100% of all funds raised benefiting pediatric oncology and ATRT research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. At just 9 months old, Beans fought a courageous battle with ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain tumor typically seen in children under the age of 3 (there are less than 40 new cases per year in the United States). Consider donating to honor Beans — every dollar counts in the fight vs. cancer," read the description on the Wintercyle website.