Hannah Ginion Passes Away: ‘Her Name Will Never Be Forgotten’

See photos and video of a candlelight vigil for Hannah

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals and her loving parents, little Hannah Ginion passed away Sunday morning.

The young Bristol Township girl battled a degenerative disease that finally claimed her life. On the Hope for Hannah Facebook page, family wrote that Hannah passed away “peacefully.”

Hannah, who would have turned two on January 15, suffered from Krabbe disease or leukodystrophy, a rare degenerative disease of the nervous system for which there is no cure. According to Mayoclinic.org, Krabbe disease affects about one in 100,000 people in the United States.

In October, Gov. Tom Corbett signed a law named after Hannah. The legislation gained support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“Hannah’s Law” expanded prenatal screenings for Krabbe disease, as well as other degenerative diseases. Lawmakers hope early detection will improve care for kids diagnosed with certain rare disorders.

“This bill gives other families like them a reason to hope and a chance for their childrens’ futures,” Gov. Tom Corbett said when the bill was signed.

“Hannah will be a hero,” Hannah’s mother, Vicki Pizullo, told LevittowNow.com in October. “It’s an amazing feeling because Hannah will always be a hero; her name will never be forgotten.”

Pizullo and Hannah’s father, Justin Ginion campaigned for more than a year to raise awareness of Krabbe disease and get Hannah’s law passed.

For Hannah’s first Christmas, local community members, mascots and firefighters showed up to her family’s Levittown house and surprised the little girl. Even as recently as last week, firefighters from Edgely Fire Company escorted Santa to visit little Hannah.

Hannah’s parents said they were thrilled with support from the community – support that didn’t waiver throughout Hannah’s fight.

Hannah spent time in and out of the hospital throughout her young life. She was diagnosed with Krabbe disease at four months old.

The Hope for Hannah Facebook page has 66,000 ‘likes’ and was filled with comments mourning Hannah’s death.

“Please keep us all in your prayers during this difficult time,” a post by the Hope for Hannah Facebook page said.

A candlelight vigil for Hannah has been scheduled, according to organizers, for the 5:30 p.m. Sunday at John Fitch Elementary School in Levittown. Organizers said the vigil will be held on the baseball diamonds behind the school. They are asking the public to bring candles with them.