Two fundraisers will be held for the parents of an 8-year-old eastern Pennsylvania girl who was serenaded by thousands of Christmas carolers a few days before she died of cancer.
Proceeds from the fundraising events will go to Jeremiah and Jennifer Brown to help defray their daughter's medical expenses. Delaney "Laney'' Brown died Christmas morning of leukemia.
The events are being planned by people who didn't know Laney but followed her story.
The West Reading girl gathered a large following of supporters through her Team Laney Facebook page, which kept followers updated on her condition while bringing awareness to a rare form of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with monosomy 7.
A fundraiser to be held on Saturday will offer exercise classes, manicures, massages and other services, with a suggested donation for each service. Coordinator Iris Elizabeth tells the Reading Eagle that she was touched by the caroling event for Laney and felt the need to do something.
A separate pancake breakfast is scheduled for Jan. 11.
Just a few days before the 8-year-old lost her fight, thousands of people flocked to her street to make one of her dying wishes come true. Y102 radio led the group as they sang Frosty the Snowman, Joy to the World and other Christmas carols.
On Christmas Eve, Paul Bedard, star of the Animal Planet reality series Gator Boys, visited her in the hospital to talk reptiles.
A few hours later Laney died at home surrounded by her family.
