Laney Brown: Thousands Gather in PA’s West Reading to Sing Carols for Terminally Ill Girl

Laney Brown: Thousands Gather in PA’s West Reading to Sing Carols for Terminally Ill Girl
Zachary Stieber
12/22/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

Delaney “Laney” Brown had a wish, and it was for a bunch of people to sing Christmas carols together.

The terminally ill eight-year-old, who has cancer, asked her mother, and her mother spread the word via Facebook and other means.

And an estimated over 5,000 people turned up, packed into a narrow block of Chestnut Street in West Reading, Pennsylvania to sing the carols.

The caroling began at 6:30 p.m., and included “Silent Night,” and “Jingle Bells,” reported the Reading Eagle. It ended with “Happy Birthday,” since Laney turned eight on Friday.

Kaylee Jester, part of Laney’s dance group, performed with other girls in front of the home prior to the caroling. 

“I was sad because she has cancer. I want to make her feel better,” Kayle said. “I love her and miss her.”

(Video from Reading Eagle)

Coryn Rank, 19, was one of the carolers. She donned a “Team Laney' bracelet, which she bought at a fundraiser this year.

“I hope Laney and her family knows we see how rough of a road it’s been, and how much we all are willing to do for her in this hard time in her life,” she said.

Laney’s mother, who has been giving updates on the “Team Laney” Facebook page, said her daughter has been going through a lot in regards to cancer treatment, and is resting on Sunday.

One of her other wishes is close to being fulfilled, thanks to National Make A Wish Foundation: meeting singer and songwriter Taylor Swift.