Dying Girl Gets Last Christmas Wish as Small Town Flooded with Carolers
This could very well be little Laney Brown's very last Christmas.
The 8-year-old Pennsylvania native, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia back in May, was sent home from the hospital last week after doctors determined there was little more they could do for her.
She was given weeks to live.
Wanting to make this Christmas one to last, her family took to the Team Landey Facebook page to share with her supporters Laney's last wish: To hear Christmas carols for the last time.
Word of the "Christmas Caroling for Laney" event spread far and wide, and by Saturday night, nearly 10,000 carolers had gathered outside Laney's window to sing her favorite Christmas standards.
(To put that into perspective, Laney's home town of West Reading has a total population of just over 4,000.)
"Just the different stories her mother has posted regularly showing her strength, her courage, her humor - this is heartbreaking," caroler Megan McGee told WPVI. "All she wants is carols and we can do that."
Though she was too weak to greet her caroling supporters, Laney's family said she could hear the crowd loud and clear from her bed. "I can hear you now!!!" read a post from Laney on her Facebook page. "Love you!"
It was accompanyed by a photo of Laney giving two thumbs up.
This was the second big birthday present Laney received last week: On Friday, her actual birthday, Laney got a special FaceTime call from her idol (and Berks County native), Taylor Swift.
"Taylor was fabulous!!" Laney's mom posted shortly after. "She really engaged Laney in conversation. Laney lit up and had a huge smile on her face. ... We will hold that memory in our hearts forever."
Update 12:50 p.m.: Laney passed away early Christmas morning, according to the latest update posted on the Team Laney Facebook page:
My heart breaks right now. Our little angel on earth earned her pink glittery angel wings in heaven. She took her last breath at home in her bed at 3:10 surrounded by all her family and friends. I miss her so much already.
[H/T: Daily Picks and Flicks, screengrabs/photos via Facebook]