Parade Cheers Up Child With Cancer In Anne Arundel County, Community Raises Nearly $50K

PASADENA, MD — Pasadena residents organized a parade Monday to cheer up a girl battling cancer. The community is also raising money for her family. The fundraiser has collected nearly $50,000 so far.

Brenna's Battle

The efforts benefit 4-year -old Brenna Corcoran, who has a deadly brain tumor.

Brenna's mother took her to the emergency room on Jan. 24 for stroke-like symptoms. The doctors sent her home and told her to follow up with a neurologist that week. The mother then took Brenna to a Johns Hopkins emergency room the next day.

The medical team took two MRIs and diagnosed Brenna with a type of brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Brenna has a tumor the size of an egg on her brainstem. Surgeons cannot remove the tumor, and there is no known cure.

Doctors in February estimated that Brenna had 8 months to a year left to live.

"Brenna has to be put under for each scan and her body has been poked more times than I can count," the family said on its fundraiser page. "In all this she has smiled and laughed and her personality has come to the top. She is strong and we will never give up our fight."

The Corcoran family and its doctors recently decided to stop treatment after months of radiation and clinical trials. The tumor has grown, and it is aggressive. Doctors don't think the child is strong enough to weather further treatment.

Brenna is now home from the hospital.

"The family has made the decision to bring Brenna home and enjoy every moment until God calls her home," the family said in an Aug. 19 update.

Supporting The Family

Organizers hoped Monday's parade would make Brenna and her family smile.

Anne Arundel First Alert promoted the parade on Facebook. The news outlet urged swaths of cars to line up at 6 p.m. at the Pine Grove Village shopping center, located in the 8500 block of Fort Smallwood Road.

The procession included fire engines, ambulances, police cruisers, sports cars, motorcycles, semi-trucks and more. Anne Arundel First Alert posted photos of the lineup here and here.

"The parade was also intended to give her family strength and hope, by seeing so many vehicles lined up," Anne Arundel First Alert said in an event recap. "Knowing that hundreds are supporting them. Not just in a post, but up close for real, face to face. And that’s just what they got."

Anne Arundel First Alert was proud of the community for banding together to support a family in need.

"At First Alert our news isn’t always good," the publication said. "In fact, most of it is down right tragic. Tonight was different. Tonight we saw a community as one. No division. Standing together to support a family they didn’t even know. That is living the nightmare, that every parent fears."

Brenna's parents took leave from work, but that doesn't stop the medical bills and everyday expenses. The GoFundMe campaign is raising money to alleviate some of the burdens.

The effort had collected $47,130 of its $60,000 goal by 10:37 a.m. Tuesday. The push had garnered 667 contributions by that time.

The top donation of $3,000 came from the Wood family about 7 months ago.

"We ask that you please continue to pray for a miracle for our baby girl," the parents said on their GoFundMe. "Rob and I do not have the words to thank everyone for the words, love and prayers for our baby. We are so grateful for all of you. Thank you all."

Anybody can contribute to the fundraiser at this link.

Editor's Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.