The mother of a Christian refugee family that was hoping to arrive in Canada has died while in exile in Malaysia.

Hania had been battling stage four breast cancer. Her husband, Suleman, notified those in North America who are trying to help the family that she passed away Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. local time.

Suleman has been falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. The husband and wife and their three children fled the country where blasphemy carries a death sentence.

"She fought with all her might, and you were beside her every step of the way," Marcy Franck says in an online post. Franck is helping the family get to Canada.

"I know Hania's greatest wish was for her beloved family to find safety in Canada. We will keep working to get you there," she says.

A church in British Columbia has agreed to sponsor the family in Canada, but is working to raise funds to get the family here.