Niall Horan and the One Direction community are mourning a loss today.

Six-year-old Directioner Leah Hession made a big impact on the boy band member and his fans. The little girl was a huge 1D fan, and also the only girl in Ireland fighting a rare form of advanced kidney cancer (according to the Irish Mirror). Leah, after a tough battle with the disease, has tragically passed away.

In May, Leah’s parents, Lorraine and Graham, had wanted to make their sick little girl’s dream come true — to see her favorite stars in person. Through a kids’ cancer charity, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Leah was gifted tickets to one of the band’s shows at Croke Park, in Dublin, Ireland. Better yet, Niall surprised his superfan with an appearance at her hotel.

“He was so kind and generous and hugged her and signed all of her memorabilia,” Lorraine said about the experience. “Leah keeps asking was it a dream. This has given us precious memories that will be with us forever.”

With the news of her passing, Niall turned to Twitter to express his regret that Leah’s life has ended.

The band’s fans also rallied together to trend #RIPLeah on Twitter, expressing sympathies and condolences from around the world with the hashtag.

Our thoughts are with the Hession family.

More From Mix 97.9 FM