Six-year-old Leah Xuereb has passed away after she succumbed to cancer.

The young girl went through six months of treatment at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in the United Kingdom between 2011 and 2012.  The government then sponsored her €245,000 treatment at the Anderson Cancer Research Centre in Texas after a public appeal made by the parents. She returned back to Malta in December 2012.

The young girl, who stole the nation’s heart, passed away at her home in Ghajnsielem, Gozo, earlier today.

Leah is survived by her mother Zhana, father Jonathan and brother Owen.