The mother of the 12-year-old Benton, Arkansas girl who last year made it to the very small list of survivors of the deadly amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has lost her own lengthy battle with breast cancer.
42-year-old Traci Hardig died Dec. 27 after a nine -year- long fight with cancer.
In the summer of 2013, 12-year-old Kali Hardig contracted the “brain-eating amoeba” at the Willow Springs Water Park near Little Rock.
CDC expert, Dr. Jennifer Cope talks parasitic meningitis and Naegleria fowleri
After treatment with a combination of an antifungal medicine, antibiotics and a new experimental anti-amoeba drug, miltefosine, doctors got directly from the CDC and the cooling of the child’s body, Kali eventually survived the parasite that kills over 99 percent of those infected.
THV 11 reports the elder Hardig announced her remission in July; however, one month later doctors found a spot on her liver.
Visitation is set for Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Roller Funeral Home in Benton. The funeral will be held in the same location Thursday at 10 a.m.
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