NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. – Some 500 carolers gathered outside the New Baltimore home of a 14-year-old girl. For the second time in her life she's fighting brain cancer -- and this time it's spread.
A huge crowd gathered Tuesday night to lift her spirits with song. They are hoping for a Christmas miracle.
Aislynn Merritt's been undergoing chemo and radiation at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak for more than a year. It appeared to be working; this summer, the brain cancer was gone.
But in September her headaches returned, and then came the devastating news that the brain cancer was back and had spread to her spine.
The true meaning of the holiday season was displayed outside Aislynn's home. Five hundred people gathered to pray, fundraise and sing Christmas carols for the Merritt family's youngest daughter.
Her parents, Pamela and Craig, listened quietly as their community showered them with love and prayers.
The family has chosen not to continue with medical treatments in the U.S. due to the health risks, but aren't giving up hope.
The 14-year-old loves to sing, and Tuesday night the Anchor Bay High School choir sang for their absent member.
The New Baltimore Fire Department showed up with good wishes and a check for $3,000.
The night ended with the Merritts' favorite song, "It's a Wonderful World," as neighbors sent lanterns of hope into the night sky.
There was no end to the donations Tuesday night, as Aislynn's high school donated $5,000. A bowling fundraiser in May raised more than $12,000. The community has adopted the Merritt family. Every night, neighbors drop off gift cards, messages of hope and prayer for the couple and their four children.
The family just returned from Spain, where Aislynn is undergoing treatments not available here. They said there's been some improvement, but they'll know more after her next MRI, coming up soon.
Donations can be made online at AislynnsArmy.com.