MEXIA, TX — After seeing Krizteena's story, Blair-Stubbs Memorials reached out to 25 News eager to provide Krizteena's family with a memorial, free of charge.
Capturing the hearts of Central Texas, 4-year-old Krizteena passed away in August after her battle with an aggressive brain tumor.
Krizteena Analiza Grinie battled a brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG).
Her mother Maria said in June, that "it started off with weakness in her right side which worried us as parents, so we made an appointment for our daughter."
After many tests found nothing conclusive, the family sought help from Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. After doctors called for an MRI, they diagnosed Krizteena with DIPG on June 15.
According to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, DIPG is an aggressive tumor that grows in the brain stem of children usually between the ages of 5 and 10. The survival rate is low because there is no cure for DIPG tumors.
Krizteena's family reached out to the community for help in order to take their 4-year-old to as many amusement parks as possible to "see that smile on her face until we can't no more."
Thanks to the help of generous people across Central Texas, the family was able to enjoy many adventures.
After Krizteena passed away more quickly than expected, the Grinie family asked the community for help with the purchase of a tombstone for Krizteena.
Kathy Stubbs with Blair-Stubbs Memorials, Riley-Gardner Memorial Services, explained "we have dealt with families that have lost children and I can't imagine how awful that would be, but God's been good to us, he's blessed us and we were able to do this for her and just give all the glory to God, the way we give to others is the way he gives to us."
Krizteena's final resting place is now personalized with a monument with Krizteena's picture, engraved with the phrase "even if those that never fully blossom bring beauty into the world."
The Grinie Family expressed their thanks for the community's support during their season of grief.
