Local/State
Laney you and your family are and will be in our
thoughts and prayers and hearts, forever. R.I.P. Laney.
Family: Delaney "Laney" Brown passes away
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Courtesy: Team Laney Facebook Page
Action News
WEST READING, Pa. - December 25, 2013 (WPVI) -- The family of Delaney "Laney" Brown says the young girl who was suffering from cancer passed away Christmas morning.
The following message was posted on the "Team Laney" Facebook page at 5:40 a.m.:
"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."
Laney was 8 years old.
Last week, thousands gathered to sing carols outside Laney's home in West Reading.
"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," caroler Deb Redcay said.
The numbers were high. Organizers said 6,000 to possibly more than 8,000 people strolled down Chestnut Street right past the decorated family home.
Laney was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in May.
She made a wish for her neighbors to lift their voices in holiday songs after doctors recently gave her days to live.
"Especially with this time of the year, with her birthday yesterday and Christmas next week, I can't even fathom what they're going through," said Mayor Shane Keller, West Reading.
Tens of thousands have liked her "Team Laney" Facebook page.
"Just the different stories her mother has posted regularly showing her strength, her courage, her humor - this is heartbreaking. All she wants is carols and we can do that," caroler Megan McGee said.
Another wish Laney had was to meet pop star and Berks County native Taylor Swift.
Last Friday night, as her family celebrated her 8th birthday, Laney's wish was granted when the two had a video chat.
One more wish came true on Christmas Eve, when Paul Bedard from the TV show Gator Boys visited Laney at Hershey Hospital.
His visit was documented on the "Team Laney" Facebook page:
"It was late in the evening when Paul from the Gator Boys walked through her hospital room door. Laney had been fighting all day to breath and was exhausted. The medication changes were kicking in and she was becoming more lethargic. But when Paul came in her eyes opened up so brightly with her mouth agape. She was in shock. She perked up for the time he spent with her talking about gators. Her face will be forever etched in my mind. It was pure joy on her face."
Laney was also recognized by the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives as an ambassador of hope and inspiration.
As so many carolers walked by Laney's family last Saturday, Team Laney posted a picture saying "I can hear you now...love you."
It's safe to say the little girl heard more than Christmas carols that night - she heard prayers from the community.
"Just to put her mark on the world as she did in these 8 years is something that I think should make her family very proud," caroler Melanie Searfoss said.
Laney's mother and father thanked the community for its overwhelming support.
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