A suburb outside of Cincinnati, Colerain Township, came together to celebrate Christmas early for one little boy. Even though it was 90 degrees outside in September, hundreds of people donned their Christmas attire and decorated with lights and snowmen and everything Christmas. His town turned into a winter wonderland so that 2-year-old Brody Allen could celebrate what may be his last Christmas.
Brody Allen and family
When he started to become dizzy in May, his parents took him to the doctor and found out the tragic and shocking news: Brody had a rare brain cancer. He was taken to the Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, where doctors would give the “most aggressive treatment plan” available to heal the boy.
The Allen family appreciated the efforts of the amazing staff at the hospital, but despite everything, the tumors were not going away. A crying doctor told the family that painful radiation therapy would be unlikely to help him.
“We wanted to do everything we could to let him live life,” said Brody’s aunt, Dina Brock.
The family decided to ask family and friends to help Brody celebrate Christmas early. The created a group called “Team Brody” on Facebook and asked for some help with decorations like Christmas lights.
Before they knew it, their neighborhood was turning into Christmas before their eyes. No detail was spared, as the community rallied together to string together lights, hang garlands, and put out their best Christmas finery. Strangers from around the world sent hundreds of Christmas cards with their best wishes to Brody and his family.
Some of the decorations for Brody
The community went all out with their Christmas decor.
Brody got to be the Grand Marshal in a super-hero-themed Christmas parade, complete with Santa on a firetruck and cheerleaders. There was even a fireworks display.
Brody rides on a train
The diverse community came together with help from The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Crossroads West Side church, and local radio station WARM 98.5, which dedicated Christmas music to Brody on the hour.
“The Allen family knew that we were coming, but they were shocked when we showed up with hundreds of people,” said pastor Matt Castleman.
“It was so hot, he added, that “you couldn’t tell if people were crying or sweating.”
Todd Allen, who is Brody’s father, was overwhelmed at the community effort to help make his son’s early holiday one nobody will ever forget. It had restored his faith in humanity.
“You have taught me that we are not bound together solely by our nationality, language, religion, culture, race, social or economic status,” said Allen.
“We are bound by our humanity.”
Brody met Santa, got a key to the North Pole, and the official title of “Elf, Good and True.”
“Whereas Brody has always exemplified the generosity of spirit, which typifies the good and true elf of the North Pole. Now, therefore, by the power of love and light, the power of kindness and generosity, the power of the Christmas spirit, and He who is the reason for the season, and the power invested in me as a firm believer and ambassador to the original Saint Nicholas of Myra, the Gift Giver. I do hereby confer upon Brody Allen the title of Elf, Good and True.”
Merry Christmas Brody! The 2-year-old with terminal cancer met Santa and got a key to the North Pole today!More from Brody's magical Christmas day here: https://bit.ly/2DxPxce
Posted by FOX19 on Wednesday, September 26, 2018
At the time of this writing, he was enjoying a new Spider-Man costume and all of his many gifts.
You can contribute to Brody’s medical care at the family’s GoFundMe page, which has raised over $41K of a $50K goal in 3 months.
The videos of what happened are truly a joy to behold:
Featured images: Screenshot via YouTube