A YOUNG girl from Ukraine has died aged just 10 due to a rare genetic disorder that makes her age at eight times the normal rate.
Artist Iryna ‘Irochka’ Khimich was one of just 179 in the world that had the incurable disease, progeria, which meant that her body was in the condition of an 80-year-old, doctors say.
The girl, from Vinnytsia, had been an inspiration in raising money for her own treatment for progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, by selling her works of art.
In her short life, she managed to become a talented artist and exhibit her work and she dreamed of visiting Paris where there were plans for her impressive artwork to go on display, but tragically time ran out.
Her grief-stricken mother Dina, 39, announced on social media: "Irochka has died.
“Her heart stopped yesterday. Sorry sunshine, we couldn't save you this time.”
Doctors said that every year her body aged by almost a decade, causing Iryna to die before she was able to fly to Boston in the US to receive treatment for her condition.
Ukrainian businessman Andrey Zdesenko, who helped raise money for her treatment, said: "Irochka Khimich has gone to heaven."
“A fragile, unique and talented girl, she bravely struggled for ten years with the terrible and rare disease progeria.
“There was so much light, love, vitality, sincerity in her. How vividly she saw the world, how she hurried to express it all in her paintings.
“She drew different pictures with both hands. Incredible. We are happy that we managed to show her work.
What is progeria?
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, is an extremely rare, progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly, starting in their first two years of life.
Children with progeria generally appear normal at birth. During the first year, signs and symptoms, such as slow growth and hair loss, begin to appear.
Heart problems or strokes are the eventual cause of death in most children with progeria.
The average life expectancy for a child with progeria is about 13 years, but some can live up to 20 years.
There are only 179 people in the world living with progeria, and those with the condition are usually diagnosed around the age of two, and have a life expectancy of 15.
There's currently no cure for progeria.
“I remember her happy eyes and shy smile.
“A smile and recognition of the creator, to whom so many people came to the personal exhibition.
“And the happy pride of parents. Thank you for your contribution to our world.
“Be forever among your bright and beautiful heroes, there on the clouds. We mourn with your loved one.”
Her mother said last year: "I'm taking a risk for her to live (with treatments).
“I am afraid of how her body will react, but I want her to be alive and fine. You live as if on a powder keg. You wake up in the morning – and feel Thank God.”
Despite most sufferers living not longer than 20, one woman in the USA is doing well, age 43.
"Medical marvel" Tiffany Wedekind, from Ohio, has exceeded her life expectancy by miles, and while she’s the oldest person living with progeria, she’s also the oldest survivor in history.
Tiffany, who’s divorced and runs her own home decor business, only grew to four foot five.
She said: “It was when my hair started to fall out and I lost my teeth in my early twenties that my doctor started to wonder about me.”
But it was only when her brother, Chad, started thinking about having a family that the condition was revealed, after he went for genetic testing to see if he had anything which could be passed on.
The entire family sent off a DNA sample, and the results showed both Tiffany and Chad had progeria, which she said was “pretty much unheard of”.
But sadly the condition claimed Chad’s life in 2012, when he was just 39 years old.
Tiffany said seeing her brother pass away inspired her to live life to the fullest, adding she was just “simply lucky to still be here”, and is “blessed”.
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