Families|December 26, 2013 03:14 EST
Leukemia Victim Delaney Brown Passes Away After Neighbors Fulfill Christmas Wish of Singing Carols
An eight-year-old girls' dying wish came true after a social media message inspired thousands of carolers gathered outside of her home to sing.
Delaney "Laney" Brown was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in May named, acute myeloid leukemia. After learning that she only had a few days to live, she made one last wish, to hear her neighbor sing Christmas songs.
Young Laney's mother turned to Facebook to ask people to make her daughters wish come true. Her community responded in a remarkable way when thousands of carolers gathered outside of her home in West Redding, CT to sing of good cheer.
"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, a supporter, told a news station.
Their list of Christmas melodies included "Silent Night," "Jingle Bells," and "Joy to the World." They finished with a belated "Happy Birthday," the Reading Eagle reports.
The little girl's mother created a Facebook support page when finding out the news of her daughters sickness. She regularly updated the tens of thousands of supporters with Laney's condition on a daily basis.
After the spectacular sing along took place, a picture of Delaney giving two thumbs up was accompanied by the text, "I can hear you now!!! Love you!," was posted on the social media page.
Delaney "Laney" Brown celebrated her eighth birthday a few days before, and the Make A Wish Foundation also gave Laney the opportunity to live out another wish she had; a chance to talk to singer Taylor Swift.
Unfortunately, it was her last Christmas. Little Delaney died Christmas morning. On December 24th Laney was taken to the hospital because she had been fighting nausea and breathing issues.
The next day an update shared on Facebook read, "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 post read.