Hayley Okines: Inspiring Teen Who Bravely Fought Premature Aging Disease Dies At 17

So sad. Haley Okines has passed away after a long fight with progeria — a rare premature aging condition. She was only 17-years-old, but the genetic condition gave her the body of a 100-year-old.

Haley Okines was a brave 17-year-old girl from Bexhill, East Sussex, who lost her fight with progeria. The announcement came on April 2, when her mom, Kerry Okines, posted the sad news on Facebook that her daughter has passed away after battling pneumonia in both her lungs. So heartbreaking.

Hayley Okines: Teen Who Lived With A Premature Aging Disease Has Died

Sweet Hayley has passed away after a long fight with progeria. She had been recently hospitalized with pneumonia in both her lungs, which contributed to her death. Her mother Kerry posted the sad news on her Facebook on April 2 stating, “My baby girl has gone somewhere better. She took her last breath in my arms at 9.39pm x.”

Hayley became well-known when she was part of a documentary about her premature aging condition called, progeria. It’s a rare disease which ages the body at eight times the normal rate. There are around 74 known cases of the disease around the world according to the Daily Mail.

When Haley was around 13-months-old, her mom noticed that she wasn’t growing like a normal baby, so Kerry took her to their family doctor. After a series of tests, doctors revealed that Haley had a rare gene mutation called Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, according to the outlet.

Determined to make the most out of her life, Hayley remained upbeat and even starred on two documentaries, The Girl who is Older than Her Mother and World’s Oldest Teenager: Extraordinary People. She turned her story into an autobiography, “Old Before my Time”, in which Hayley details how she copes with the disease.

There Is No Known Cure

The Progeria Research Foundation posted on its Facebook page: “The entire progeria family mourns together with many as we say goodbye to Hayley Okines, our smart, beautiful and spirited English rose, who passed away today at age 17.”

Sadly, there is no known cure, but you can donate here to help aid in the research.

Our thoughts are with Hayley’s family and friends during this difficult time.

— Brittany King
Follow @brrriitttnnii