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Emily FaRannte of Hellertown was just like any other girl her age. From the soccer field to the dance studio, Emily had countless passions, Hellertown Borough says in a Facebook post.
But when Emily started feeling shoulder pain in May, a number of doctor appointments determined the cause to be a mass called Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkins).
Several grueling medical tests later, Emily was admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she spent five months undergoing debilitating treatments.
Emily stayed positive when she celebrated her 12th birthday in the midst of it all and received cards from countless supporters wishing her well.
Just when it looked as though things were taking a turn for the better and Emily’s PET scan showed that the cancer was most likely negative, she was readmitted to the hospital for facial drooping and headaches.
The cancer had come back — and this time, it had traveled to her brain.
This time, Emily was set up for another treatment plan consisting of more intense chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplant.
While she continues her grueling battle, community support is pouring in. More than $3,200 has been raised on a GoFundMe for Emily’s family.
Meanwhile, the Lower Saucon Police Department sold pink badges and donated the proceeds, the FaRannte family is selling t-shirts, and several other local businesses put out donation jars as well.
All Embassy Bank branches have agreed to accept donations on behalf of the FaRannte family and will deposit the funds into an account opened directly in the name of Emily’s mother, Adele.
But that’s not all — if crowd-sourcing efforts surpass $5,000, Hellertown Borough Mayor David Heintzelman will shave his head at a public event at Dimmick Park after the Halloween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 23.
“As the next few months progress, Emily’s health is in the forefront of everyone’s mind,” the borough says.
“All prayers for positive outcomes are deeply appreciated. The family is immeasurably thankful for all of the help and support received. No donation goes unnoticed.”
Click here to view/donate to ‘Helping the FaRannte Family’ on GoFundMe.
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