Emily Beazley Dies after 4-Year Battle with Cancer

Hearts broke across social media early Tuesday morning, as a beloved family from Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood shared the news so many had been dreading.

Emily Beazley, known to thousands as their “Hero on Homan” and inspiration behind “Light It Up for Emily,” died Monday just after 11 p.m. She was 12 years old.

“...my beautiful Emily got to use her angel wings. She fought hard to the end. Her last gift to me was passing peacefully,” her mother Nadia Beazley wrote to members of Facebook group “Emily’s Entourage.”

Emily fought Stage-III T-cell lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for four years, wielding every weapon science had to offer, including chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. In April her family learned she would never go into remission. Undaunted, Emily still sparkled with optimism, believing until her last days that she would crush cancer.

The Beazley family’s openness and Emily’s unflagging courage stirred a community to rally around them. Last month, hundreds flocked to the street on which they live, eyes turned upward to see Emily unveil the street sign renaming the block in her honor.

Supporters then took to Twitter, Facebook, and email to fulfill Emily’s wish of connecting with Grammy-winning singer Taylor Swift (and it worked!).

She and sister Olivia were later dubbed honorary Chicago police officers. Marist High School even hosted a prom for Emily and her friends; Emily beamed in a turquoise dress and a demure grin.

Just a week ago, she received an honorary doctorate from St. Xavier University, and landed her dream job in the pediatric oncology unit at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn—all fitting recognition for a pre-teen whose bravery brought out the best in a community. In a “Light It Up for Emily” movement, buildings, homes, businesses, and marquees around Chicago are illuminated with green and purple lightbulbs: purple for her favorite color, green for the signature hue of Lymphoma awareness.

In these parts, the colors stand for #EmilyStrong.

“The fight that I’ve been going through for the past four years has been difficult,” Emily said as she was named an honorary cop, “But you gotta stay strong, and you gotta stay positive, no matter what happens.”

The family insists that all services will be private.

“Family, close friends, her doctors and nurses are all that we are asking to attend,” Beazley posted on social media. ”If we do not personally know you, please please do not come.”

A public memorial will be planned at a later date.

Read more about Emily:

• Taylor Swift Comes through for Mt. Greenwood Girl Battling Cancer
• Mt. Greenwood’s Emily Beazley Hurls First Pitch at Chicago White Sox Game
• Emily Beazley and Younger Sister Olivia Named Honorary Chicago Police Officers
• ‘Emily’s Delight’ Doughnuts Flying Off the Shelves
• ‘Emily’s Day’: Community Comes Together for Tribute to Mt. Greenwood 12-year-old
• 12-year-old ‘Hero on Homan’ Inspires Southland