Western Montana mourns passing of Hot Springs child
Six-year-old Harlee Salmi died Wednesday with her family by her side. Salmi was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer a little more than a year ago. Several Western Montana towns helped support her and her family with fundraisers and gestures of kindness. (Courtesy photo)
A little girl from Hot Springs who inspired thousands of people across Western Montana as she battled brain cancer during the past year has died.
Six-year-old Harlee Salmi passed away Wednesday. Her mother, Taylor Wood Salmi, posted the news on the Facebook page, Hope for Harlee.
“At 12:20 PM today Harlee flew off to heaven! She fought until the end but was surrounded by her family and deeply loved!” Taylor wrote. “Our hearts are shattered but we know she is running and playing again! I have no more words at this point.”
A little more than a year ago, Harlee was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG. It is an aggressive brain tumor that attacks a part of the brain stem which controls breathing, sleeping, heart rate as well as nerves and muscles which help people perform everyday functions.
There is no known cure and life expectancy after diagnosis is about six to nine months.
After her diagnosis, communities all over Western Montana embraced the Hope For Harlee effort, which raised money for her care.
Country music artist Sam Riddle, a Missoula native, played a benefit concert in Hot Springs last summer as part of a tour in Montana.
At the 14-C District volleyball tournament in Noxon last fall, each team wore “Hope for Harlee” warm-up shirts to help raise the family’s spirits and money for her treatment.
In Thompson Falls, the high school cross country team held a benefit run for her last fall.
Harlee was able to celebrate her sixth birthday with family Saturday, May 2. The week before a parade with community members and well wishers helped Harlee and her family celebrate her birthday.
Taylor also shared Harlee had lost her first tooth on May 1.
“Harlee lost her first tooth today!!! She has been waiting for a long time!” Taylor wrote.
According to a post on Hope for Harlee, a celebration of Harlee’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16 in Hot Springs in a large field off Montana 77 (Michele and Jason Bangen’s field).
The address is 126 Old Hot Springs Road. There will be plenty of room to spread out and social distance, according to the post. There will also be a mode of being present and listening to the service via radio from your car.