BERLIN – Salisbury native and community figure Brooke Mulford, age 12, died early Monday morning after a long battle with cancer.
Mulford’s mother, Amy Stanton Mulford, shared the news in a Facebook message Monday.
“At 1:04 am Brooke went from my arms into the arms of Jesus…
Sweet Brooke you were the most amazing person I ever met. Your smile lit up my heart and the whole world. It was my absolute privilege and honor to be your mommy. I miss everything about you already. I love you to Heaven and back…”
Mulford was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in January of 2009, after waking up with a limp on Christmas Eve. After undergoing several treatment methods, Mulford achieved remission, but relapsed in December of 2012.
Since her diagnosis, Mulford has played an active role in the Delmarva community. Though Mulford moved to New Jersey to seek more accessible treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she began Brooke’s Toy Closet at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where children visiting the emergency room and pediatrics department can get a toy. Mulford also had her own foundation, which provides financial support to children with cancer on Delmarva.
Peninsula Regional Medical Center offered condolences to the Mulford family shortly after her death with a Facebook post.
“We’ll smile, widely, whenever we think of this wonderful young lady who, in the face of adversity, always smiled herself, and continuously looked upon tomorrow with hope and faith,” the statement reads. “She reminded us that it’s not how long you spend on this earth, but what you do for others with the time you’re given that matters most, and Brooke gave everything she had in her personal fight against cancer and in her very public education of us all. We’re all much better people because of Brooke. We’re a better hospital because of Brooke, and our young patients, much like her, will forever benefit thanks to Brooke’s Toy Closet.
To borrow a line from our CEO, Dr. Peggy Naleppa, who said it so perfectly this morning, ‘She was one of the most courageous little girls I have ever met. Heaven is blessed. Earth is sad.’ Thank you, Amy, for sharing Brooke with the world and with us. It was far too short, but it was amazing.”
The City of Salisbury has announced that city flags will be flown at half-mast until further notice. A silent vigil will be held at the Salisbury City Park Monday evening at 7:30.
