Our thoughts are with Louis Tomlinson, 24, after the tragic news of his mother’s death shook Hollywood, Dec. 9. Johannah Deakin was 43-years-old when she lost her battle with leukemia, a blood cancer also known as “leukaemia” in England, Dec. 7, her husband, Dan said in a statement to Capital FM. It is unknown at this time which type of leukemia Johannah passed away from. This is heartbreaking.
Dan’s statement read: “It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016. Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia that required immediate and continuous treatment. We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.”
Leukemia is a cancer of the body’s blood cells. It is a malignant, or infectious disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes (WBC – white blood cells). WBC’s are known infection fighters. However, when an individual has leukemia, the abnormal WBC’s don’t function properly. When they don’t function properly, these cells become cancer. [via, National Cancer Institute]
As for the different types and treatments for leukemia — There are four main types of leukemia that affect both adults and children specifically, and at different levels. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia most often affects young children, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adults. The two other types are acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia, which both mainly affect adults. There are multiple treatments for leukemia, depending on which type an individual has.
Saddest Deaths Of 2016 — Pics
Johannah had been hospitalized since May 2016 at University College London Hospital, Dan revealed in his official statement. Her family and friends did not publicize her illness or treatment. One Direction fans were completely shocked to hear about Johannah’s passing since her family had kept everything very private.
Louis was Johannah’s oldest child. She had six other children — Lottie, 18, Felicite 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, 12, and twins Ernest and Doris, 2. Louis appeared to be very close with his mother, often posting photos of her on social media. Johannah would have turned 44-years-old in March 2017.
HollywoodLifers, leave your thoughts for Louis and his family in the comments section below.