The Antelope Valley Times

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A special holiday home for Emily

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Four-year-old brain cancer patient Emily and her dad, Emilio, pose for a picture with the kindhearted local deputies who set up the family's Christmas lights Thursday, Dec. 19. [Contributed]
Four-year-old brain cancer patient Emily and her dad, Emilio, pose for a picture with the kindhearted local deputies who set up the family’s Christmas lights Thursday, Dec. 19. [Contributed]
LANCASTER – Christmas came early for 4-year-old brain cancer patient Emily Janelle Jarquin, when local sheriff’s deputies showed up at her Lancaster home Thursday and surprised her with Christmas lights.

[Contributed]
[Contributed]
Things have been hard for the Jarquin family since the preschooler was diagnosed with a brain tumor the day before Thanksgiving. The family spent that holiday at the hospital; and they’ve been struggling financially after taking time off from work to care for Emily.

“All my daughter wanted was Christmas lights on our house. She said she didn’t want to live in our neighborhood because no one was putting up lights,” said Emily’s mom, Olivia.

A group of local deputies brought Emily her Christmas lights and spent most of the afternoon Thursday putting up the light display.

[Contributed]
[Contributed]
They even brought gifts for Emily and her foster sister, Ariana.

“They showed so much love for her,” Emily’s mother said. “She was so happy, making them ‘pretend cupcakes’ and them pretending to eat them, and singing Frozen songs with her while they put up the lights. It’s great to see a different side to [law enforcement] especially with all the negative things recently on the media.”

The Christmas surprise was a week early, but just in time for little Emily. Hours later, Emily’s family got a phone call notifying them that Emily needed to be admitted to the hospital that evening to start chemotherapy treatment. Emily now must undergo another round of surgeries, which will keep her in the hospital on Christmas Day and on her 5th birthday Dec. 28.

Luckily, Emily was able to see her decorated holiday home before she left for the hospital Thursday.

“We are forever grateful [to the deputies] for taking the time and doing this for her, for praying for her and being supportive through this tough time we are going through,” said Emily’s mom, Olivia.

To follow Emily’s health journey, visit https://www.facebook.com/PrayersforEmilyJanelle.

To donate to Emily’s family, visit http://www.youcaring.com/other/help-emily-janelle-fight-brain-cancer/280481.

EMILY GETS TO SEE HER CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Post by Prayers for Emily Janelle.

Filed Under: Lancaster

4 comments for "A special holiday home for Emily"

  1. Thank you to all the fine gentlemen (LA County Sheriffs) that risk their lives every day for all of us for bringing a smile to this family!

  2. Merry Christmas little one, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you all always.

  3. It is sad that you see the police force doing something positive and their is not one comment but let them do one thing wrong and everyone is all over it with their negative comments about how law enforcement is evil.

    Any who I would like to say that I applaud these officers as they took their time and their resources to give back to someone in the community that they did not have too. They are truly serving and protecting their community.

    These men know the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving to others.

    • @Ashley that is so true. May God Bless them and their families. Emily, you and your family are in my prayers. God Bless you always. Merry Christmas every one :)