Carli Simmons’ Memory Lives On Through Her Mother’s Music

Carli Simmons lost her battle to ATRT at three years old, but her memory lives on through the beautiful lyrics and melody of "Carli's Song".

On December 8th, 2009 in DeRidder, Louisiana, Bradley and Valerie Simmons welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Carli Grace, into the world.

At 15 months old, Carli's parents noticed that something wasn't right, and after a visit to Texas Children's in Houston their worst fears were confirmed when their beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with a large brain tumor. Atypical Teratoid Rahbdoid Tumor (ATRT) is a very rare and aggressive tumor that only affects approximately 30 children in the United States yearly.

After almost 2 years of fighting, Carli lost her battle to ATRT on April, 26, 2013 to ATRT, but her memory lives on through the beautiful lyrics and melody of 'Carli's Song'.

In the video above Valerie Simmons sings the story of Carli's battle in a song she wrote for her "sweet butterfly princess".

It's stories like Carli's that make you realize how devastating childhood cancer and other illnesses are for families in our community. Every child in Southwest Louisiana, Southeast Texas, and everywhere deserves a chance to live a long healthy life.

[via Carli's Butterly W.I.S.H.E.S Foundation]