Every now and then, a story on San Antonio Living just grabs us by the heart -- and that was certainly the case last March when a group of women calling themselves the "Cool Chicks for Hazel," asked if they could be on the show to talk about a fundraiser called "Hazelpalooza.'

These 12 incredible women, friends since they went the Churchill High School together, had united to raise money for the family of little Hazel Camille Anderson.

Hazel, a gorgeous little blue-eyed angel, was just a few months shy of her first birthday when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor. It was impossible to look at her picture without your heart breaking, and just as impossible to see the courage and friendship of the "Cool Chicks" without wanting to help.

We had them on our show, and joined them in praying for a miracle.

Then yesterday, when word came that Hazel had lost her fight with cancer, at just 17 months old, we joined them in mourning the loss of a precious little girl.

For Hazel's parents, Brian and Heather, who have bravely faced a horrible time of letting go; and for their toddler Hana, who has lost her sister before she can even understand what that loss means, our prayers are with you.

And those prayers are with the "Cool Chicks," too. Watching them rally against a monster against unspeakable odds has been an inspiration. To see their hope fight on in the face of tragedy has been like watching a flower bloom in a muddy gutter. We should all be blessed with friends as special as these women.

If you'd like to post encouragement to Hazel's family and friends, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments -- we'll make sure to pass them on. Click here to comment...