Paloma, a 22-year-old woman living with neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare genetic condition that can lead to the growth of tumors in the nervous system, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at a hospital in Nice, France. She had been receiving care at the hospital for several weeks. Her parents shared the news of her passing on social media, expressing deep sorrow. Paloma had been battling the disease for over a decade, and in recent years, her health had significantly worsened. After careful consideration, medical teams at the Nice University Hospital and her family decided to sedate her to ease her suffering. Her father, Gilles, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, stating, "Our life was a fight," and adding, "We arrived at the hospital three of us, yesterday we left two. Our life was a fight, from now on, it will be a nightmare." Paloma's condition was first discovered when she was a child. In a recent interview with actu Nice, Gilles recalled the moment their lives changed: "On December 31, 2010, Paloma had a control MRI at 4 p.m. to check if there was a problem. They saw a tumor the size of a tennis ball behind her left eye. This was the beginning of a new era, our life exploded." Despite the challenges of her illness, Paloma remained committed to helping others. Alongside her family, she founded the Princesse Paloma association, which has grown into a vital support network for children and families affected by neurofibromatosis type 2. The organization, established in 2017, runs various initiatives, such as collecting hair to make wigs for sick children, organizing mountain retreats for patients and their families, and creating nests for premature babies. It also contributed to the renovation of a room for grieving families at the Nice Pasteur University Hospital. These efforts were not always directly related to Paloma's needs but provided meaningful assistance to others. In July 2026, Gilles told actu Nice how important the association was to their daily lives: "Our daily life would be sadder if we did not have this association. What we do has a purpose and we help families concretely. Paloma is happy to be able to help." In her death notice, her family asked for donations to the Princesse Paloma association instead of flowers, to continue her legacy. Following the announcement of her death, many messages of condolence were shared in her honor. OGC Nice, a local football club she was closely associated with, praised her as "resilient, wonderful, and strong." The club also extended its condolences to her family and friends. A tribute will be held on Sunday, October 11, at 3 p.m., during the match against Strasbourg. Her parents wrote, "The dove will continue to fly," a phrase that captures the lasting impact Paloma had, extending far beyond her illness.