Small town creates 'last' Christmas for girl, 9, with terminal cancer
Share this @internewscast.com

A close-knit community in Maryland rallied to offer a little girl, who has been facing terminal cancer for several years, a joyful Christmas celebration in the middle of summer.

Kasey Zachmann, 9, of Bethesda, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called medulloblastoma when she was five years old. 

Following numerous difficult surgeries, experimental treatments, and cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, her parents, Alyssa and Joe, received devastating news from her doctors on June 23.

Doctors said Kasey’s cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she may only have a few weeks to live. 

Determined to help their daughter spend her time filled with happiness and the presence of family and friends, Alyssa and Joe resolved to create cherished memories for her.

And with Kasey’s diagnosis day, June 28, just days away at the time, they planned to turn the glum anniversary into Kasey’s favorite holiday – Christmas Day. 

‘I was trying to think of fun things that we could do for Kasey to build memories,’ Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine

‘So we thought it would be amazing to give her the chance to celebrate Christmas one last time.’

Her immediately parents reached out to their neighbors, asking for them to decorate their homes with Christmas lights. 

Kasey Zachmann (middle), 9, of Bethesda, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called medulloblastoma when she was five years old

Kasey Zachmann (middle), 9, of Bethesda, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called medulloblastoma when she was five years old

Kasey, wearing a Nutcracker-themed dress, smiled as she enjoyed the day with other kids in her neighborhood and her sister, Zara. She also received cards and gifts

Kasey, wearing a Nutcracker-themed dress, smiled as she enjoyed the day with other kids in her neighborhood and her sister, Zara. She also received cards and gifts

‘This week will be incredibly hot and not the best climate for putting up lights, but we’re not sure how much time we have,’ the Zachmanns wrote to their neighbors, NBC reported. 

Despite the scorching heat and humidity, hundreds of community members happily complied with the festive request.

As neighbors decked the town with lights and wore Christmas-themed outfits, 25 firetrucks drove over to the Zachmann’s house – bringing Santa along with them.

Kasey, wearing a Nutcracker-themed dress, smiled as she enjoyed the day with other kids in her neighborhood and her sister, Zara. She also received cards and gifts.    

She and her family made sure to drive by each and every house that participated to show their gratitude. 

‘It was magical. We tried to get to every single house, so it took us two hours to drive around,’ Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine, noting that some people were standing in the rain when they arrived. 

What started as an email to those living nearby blew up into an event spanning 11 neighborhoods along the DC-Maryland border, according to The Washington Post.

Learning what no parent ever wants to hear, Alyssa (pictured with Kasey) and Joe were determined to make sure their daughter spends her time joyfully and surrounded by loved ones

Learning what no parent ever wants to hear, Alyssa (pictured with Kasey) and Joe were determined to make sure their daughter spends her time joyfully and surrounded by loved ones

What started as an email to those living nearby blew up into an event spanning 11 neighborhoods along the DC-Maryland border

What started as an email to those living nearby blew up into an event spanning 11 neighborhoods along the DC-Maryland border

This diagnosis day turned holiday party was even celebrated nationally, with people from all 50 states sending in videos to wish Kasey a merry Christmas. 

‘June 28 for us has been diagnosis day, has been a heavy day for us,’ Alyssa told NBC. 

‘For us to now be able to think about June 28 as Christmas in June, especially next year, we’re so thankful.’ 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Nantucket Property Dispute Erupts Over Alleged Tree Cutting

A property feud has erupted on a wealthy Massachusetts island after a…

Southern Town Transforms Reputation to Attract Retirees

The South Carolina town once known as ‘Dirty Myrtle’ after its infamous…

Celebrity Mansion Engulfs Entire ZIP Code, Adorned with Enigmatic Symbols

Plenty of Hollywood stars own lavish estates, but only one – that…

Kaylee Goncalves’ Mother Discloses that Bryan Kohberger Assaulted Her Prior to the Murder

The mother of one of the four murdered University of Idaho students…

Scarlett Johansson Achieves Status as Top-Grossing Leading Actor in History

Scarlett Johansson has overtaken her Marvel Cinematic Universe colleagues, Samuel L. Jackson…

Prices Expected to Soar as Trump’s Tariff Pause Concludes

Governments and markets around the world are bracing for yet another nail-biting…

Justin Bieber Posts Sweaty ‘Detox’ Selfie Shortly After

Justin Bieber has sparked fan concern once again with another cryptic Instagram post.…

Israel Strikes Houthis in Yemen Following Interception of Another Missile

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched air attacks on the Houthi rebels…

Photos: Remembering the Girls Tragically Lost in Texas Floods

At least five girls were killed and several missing after devastating flash floods…

Anger among Texas flood victims as authorities fault National Weather Service

Victims of the catastrophic flash floods ravaging Central Texas are outraged as…

Fearing School Shootings, She Decides to Leave America for Good.

An American mom who moved her family to Spain has lifted the lid…

Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration to Aid Flood-Stricken Texas

President Donald Trump is making sure first responders in central Texas have…