An eight-year-old terminally ill Irish American girl, Delaney Brown, of West Reading Pennsylvania, has passed away after having her Christmas gift fulfilled when10,000 showed up outside her home to sing carols for her.
Delaney “Laney” Brown was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May and has gotten steadily worse in recent months. Last week the family were told she only weeks to live.
A message on her Team Laney Facebook page on Christmas morning revealed she had passed away at 3.10 A.M on Christmas Day.
"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," the message ran.
Her family created the Team Laney Facebook page and the 94,000 followers were asked to help her achieve her dying wishes.
The first was a conversation with singer Taylor Swift, who hails from her hometown. This took place via Skype at the weekend.
Then the next day, thousands of followers showed up under her home to fulfill her second wish which was carol singing. Her third wish a Disney cruise was ruled out because of her illness.
An estimated 10,000 carolers showed up including many of her school friends.
"I was sad because she has cancer. I want to make her feel better," Kaylee Jester said as she stood outside Laney's home.
"I love her and miss her."
The carols began early with holiday songs such as “Rudolf” “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World”.
The Brown’s front door was open during the caroling so that Delaney could hear.
A photo of Delaney with both thumbs up was soon posted on the family's Team Facebook page The caption read "I can hear you now!!! Love you!"
Her parents asked for prayers for their daughter and said they were overwhelmed by the support.
“A lot of people don’t even know her but through social media have been able to give her this wish. Unfortunately, this could be her last Christmas and everyone wanted to make it special for her,” Deb Redcay, one of Laney’s many supporters told the Reading Eagle.
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