FRANKLIN COUNTY — An eastern Indiana teenage girl who had been battling brain cancer for more than two years has died.
Kayla Spangler, 17, of Metamora, died Tuesday after a nearly two-year-long fight against Glioblastoma, according to her obituarythrough Urban Winkler Funeral Home in Connersville.
Kayla, a Franklin County High School student, was the subject of a video message from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who was Kayla's idol and favorite actor.
Johnson said Kayla had tons of supporters, family and friends trying to get her information to him.
Johnson goes on to read off some of Kayla's favorite things, including her love for horror movies, sushi and reptiles. He even prided her on loving snakes, something Johnson said he's not the biggest fan of.
The video can be viewed here:
But according to Johnson, Kayla's family said her favorite thing is him.
"Kayla thank you for being a fan," Johnson said. "I know that you're fighting hard. Keep fighting. Keep inspiring everybody around you, including me now."
Johnson also said he was going to get some "cool stuff" together to send to Kayla.
"You're my biggest fan," Johnson said. "Well, now I'm your biggest fan."
Kayla was born on March 31, 2005, in Hampton, Virginia. She is the daughter of Lindsey Spangler and late Petty Officer First Class Jacob Spangler. Kayla's mother Lindsey says her husband died in 2018.
Kayla is also preceded in death by her uncle Eric Spangler.
When she attended Franklin County High School, Kayla participated in JAG, volunteered at the school food bank and was crowned Homecoming queen her senior year.
"Even though she battled cancer for over 2 years, she never let it bring her down and always had a positive attitude and outlook on life. She didn’t let a terminal disease stop her from pursuing her dreams," Kayla's obituary states.
Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at Crosspointe Biker Church, 1130 E Baseline Road, Connersville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm.
Memorial contributions can be made to Wolf Creek Habitat. To sign the online guestbook, click here.
Per the National Brain Tumor Society, glioblastoma has a 6.8% survival rate, and the average length of survival for glioblastoma patients is estimated to be around eight months.
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts
With $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year.
Senator wants change following WRTV Investigation into mental health facilities
A state senator is pushing for sweeping change following a WRTV Investigation into a Lawrence mental health facility.
Hoosiers raise awareness about men's health issues for 'Movember'
You may notice many mustachioed men around Central Indiana this November. Some are adorning facial hair to raise awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.
Pacers end 3-game skid, extend Wizards losing streak to 11 with 115-103 victory
After not playing well defensively for the past three games, Sunday's game showed modest improvement as Indiana allowed just 16 fourth-quarter points.
