27 April 2023 , 10:00
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A family is living a "nightmare" after their 16-year-old son died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with leukemia.
Kyle Limper, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a "healthy and happy" young man, who showed "no sign of illness", according to his obituary.
He passed away on April 13 from a blood infection caused by leukemia, which had been discovered "the same day".
"It just came and took him in the same day," read his obituary.
Kyle's father, Ken Limper, said that he'd taken his son to urgent care for back pain after Kyle played basketball before taking him to Jefferson Hospital.
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"They told me in a couple of days, if he doesn't get better, to bring him back", Ken said.
"Well, in a couple of days he couldn't even stand up. He couldn't even get out of bed and I had to help him and stand him up, then he fell right back down on the bed."
Kyle Limper was a keen athlete wrestling and running track as well as playing football (Fox 29)He was rushed to St Christopher's Hospital for Children, where doctors told the family Kyle's organs were shutting down as a result of leukemia. 24 hours after arriving at the hospital, he sadly died.
"It was just like it was just a nightmare," explained Ken. "It was just like every time we came back into the room, it was just getting worse and getting worse."
Kyle's mum, Jodi Taffe, who had just beaten cancer herself, told the network: "I wouldn't wish this feeling or the situation on anyone. It's indescribable. I can't, I can't even put into words how I'm feeling."
Kyle was an athletic teen, a football player for Kensington High School, he also wrestled and ran track. He dreamed of becoming a college football athlete and "wrestling champion".
Kyle's dad, Ken, spoke about how quickly his son's condition deteriorated (Fox 29)He was also a bright and hard working kid who "maintained straight As and made honour roll many times". He'd hoped to go to college to study criminal law, looking at a future in the CSI or FBI.
"He wanted so badly to achieve this goal that he applied and was accepted to a program where he would have studied with real CSI agents in Washington DC, which was to take place this summer".
His dream of working for the CSI or FBI "stemmed from his love of superheroes". According to his obituary: "He wanted to stop all the evil in this world and to put the criminals behind bars, so that people could live their lives safely. As always, Kyle was thinking of everyone else."
Kyle's family are fundraising to help cover the medical and funeral costs (Fox 29)Kyle was described as a "beloved son" and "cherished brother" who will be "sadly missed" by those who knew him.
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"The mark that Kyle left on the hearts of all those who love him is incomparable to anything in this world. He did more in his short 16 years and touched more lives with his selflessness, generosity, friendship, and love, than most would in a lifetime."
The family has a launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical and funeral expenses, as well as any support needed for his two siblings and family.
As they prepare to lay him to rest, the family said: "Kyle loved to embrace the best of what life had to offer."
Going on to say: "Now, with heavy hearts, we have to live our best lives for Kyle. Kyle Limper is a love that will be with us forever."