In April 2023, Hallie Kyed, a two-year-old at the time, received a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, a challenging situation that she has been facing for the past nine months. Unfortunately, according to a post on Instagram by Doug Kyed, Hallie, who was only 2 years old, passed away on January 21. Doug Kyed is an NFL reporter for the Boston Herald.
According to Kyed, there was a significant setback for his daughter after she experienced a relapse following a bone marrow transplant. The effectiveness of her chemotherapy had ceased.
“Hallie passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning while Jen and I were by her side,” Doug wrote. “We feel utterly disoriented and devastated in the absence of Hallie.” Our lives have been forever altered.
As Doug continued, his daughter was an exceptional child. And even at such a young age, she managed to leave a lasting impression on the many people she encountered.
“We were incredibly blessed to have her as our daughter, and Olivia was truly fortunate to have such an amazing younger sibling.”
The reporter shared that it was evident that the prognosis was grim when she experienced a relapse following her bone marrow transplant. The entire family dedicated special time at the hospital last week, clinging onto hope for remission. Hallie’s remarkable bravery, strength, and resilience throughout her nine-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia and its various complications were truly inspiring.
However, despite Hallie’s remarkable strength and unwavering resilience in the face of immense tragedy, the chemotherapy she received after her transplant proved to be ineffective. Unfortunately, her aggressive form of leukemia had already spiraled out of control by the time she began a trial treatment.
Doug expressed his admiration for the doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital, acknowledging their relentless efforts in supporting Hallie as she fought against AML for over nine months. We were completely unprepared for this moment when she received her diagnosis in April or after her successful transplant in October.
The father shared heartfelt memories of his time with Hallie, recalling how she would call out for him and ask to go for walks around the hospital floor. He also cherished the sweet moments when she would pat his back after he took her out of her crib.
Oh, Hal, my adorable koala baby, my precious Hallie Bear, my little Sour Patch Kid… you were simply stunning, with a natural sense of humor and a confidence that hinted at a future as a dance class superstar. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff eagerly anticipated the princess dress she would choose each day (or even each hour).
And even though Hallie’s absence has made the world a sadder place, Doug wishes that those grieving her loss can take away one valuable lesson from her: the importance of knowing your desires and persistently pursuing them, whether it’s going for a walk, a car ride, or wearing a specific Disney dress (often Cruella).
It’s going to be tough not being able to caress her hair, plant gentle kisses on her forehead, and express my love for her. Hallie forever.
Hallie’s funeral will take place on January 26. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Kyed family as they navigate through this challenging period.