NORTH CAROLINA — A North Carolina family is fighting to take their daughter to Disney and make lasting memories after they said her Make-A-Wish trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delaney Thompson, 9, has anaplastic astrocytoma, which is an aggressive brain tumor that mostly affects children. She said she loves watching YouTube with her siblings, musicals and listening to her favorite band, Maroon 5.
[ ALSO READ: 2 -year-old dying of bone cancer wants to celebrate all holidays in one week ]
Thompson’s family and friends told our news partner WCTI she is loving, courageous and bold.
Delaney’s father Randy Thompson, who is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, said his daughter’s journey has been difficult. He said she has gone through chemotherapy and clinical trials but now, their family wants to make sure she has the best life possible.
“Myself and her mother and each of our spouses made the difficult decisions to withdraw her from care and just get through the holidays with as much friends, family and love as we can,” Randy Thompson said, “We’ll reassess at the beginning of the new year and see if there is anything new or groundbreaking that she qualifies for.”
This browser does not support the video element.
One of her best friends, Pyper Morehead, helped organize a GoFundMe after Delaney’s Make-A-Wish trip was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think it’s important to help Delaney because she’s going through rough times right now,” Morehead said. “It would help a lot if people would help her by raising money to help with buying stuff and letting her do things that she’s wanted to do.”
[ ALSO READ: Cabarrus County senior gets special surprise just in time for graduation ]
Delaney said she wants to go to Disney with her family so they can spend time together and ride on the “big rides.”
So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $16,000. Organizers said in addition to helping pay for the trip to Disney, the funds raised will help the family with any financial needs.
Click here to learn more about the GoFundMe and Delaney’s battle with anaplastic astrocytoma.