Jasmina Anema, 6, Dies After Inspiring Cancer Battle

Jasmina Anema had celebs - and the Obamas - cheering her on.

For anyone who has experienced the scare and devastation of cancer, six-year-old Jasmina Anema spent her young life as a torch of hope. Manhattan resident Anema and her family documented her the developments of her leukemia on Twitter, gaining the attention of Oprah Winfrey, President Barack Obama and Rihanna. On Wednesday, January 27, Anema passed away. Here is her family's message.

Throughout November and December Jasmina had several biopsies of her bone marrow done, and the results appeared encouraging. On December 10, Jasmina Anema's Twitter page read, "Just had a bone marrow biopsy today. Hopefully good results, stay tuned." Then on December 16: "Biopsy result 0% leukemia but there is an infection so we will go again to the hospital today."

And then the news started to turn - December 29's message: "Came out of the hospital the Christmas eve. Got the result of last weeks biopsy. The leukemia is back but only 7%." On December 31st, Jasmina Anema's page read, "President Obama wrote me the most encouraging message: Jasmina, DREAM BIG DREAMS" AND THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IN THE NEW YEAR." [sic]

By January 20, Anema's leukemia was "big in full force." That was the last tweet before the January 27 announcement to Jasmina's 219 followers: "At 10:55 on January 27th, after a long battle, Jasmina lost her fight with leukemia. Thanks for all of your support." Anema's mother Thea has confirmed that Jasmina passed away at NYU's Langone Medical Center Wednesday night.

Jasmina was supposed to spend Thanksgiving at the White House with the Obamas, but while she was visiting Washington, DC, she had to be put in the ICU. Obama called her to check on her on November 27. On November 23 Jasmina asked Rihanna to sign a CD so she could give it to the President. (It's said Jasmina finally met President Obama in December 2009.) Also in November, O Magazine did a small piece on Jasmina's tweets about her illness.

We're happy this little superstar saw enjoyed so much high-profileness in her final days. LimeLife sends its best to the family of Jasmina Anema.

Our friends at Just Jared have the story of a leukemia patient, also an Olympic athlete-in-training, who is looking for a bone marrow donor. Get Seun Adebiyi's story here. (Rihanna's going to bat again! Go girl!)