Utah family receives home makeover after 4-year-old’s cancer diagnosis
Dec 7, 2021, 9:39 AM | Updated: Aug 15, 2022, 11:17 am
MURRAY, Utah — Dozens of contractors and volunteers are helping a Utah family by giving them a home makeover after their 4-year-old boy was diagnosed with cancer.
The project is thanks to two nonprofit organizations the Uplift Mission and Christmas for Cancer Families.
“We are basically building a new home within the home,” said Dan Paniagua, owner of Pan Homes and general contractor for the project. “It’s been amazing. It’s been an amazing project.”
A major home make over for a family who recently got some devastating news. See the Christmas miracle @KSL5TV at 6.. pic.twitter.com/pIW1U1VT03
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) December 7, 2021
Jackie Culley started Christmas for Cancer Families after her 17-year-old son, Riley was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away two years ago.
“Doing Christmas for Cancer Families has been a very healing process for our family,” Culley told KSL. “It keeps Riley alive. I think a parent’s greatest fear when their child dies, is that their child will be forgotten, and I don’t ever want Riley to be forgotten.”
It was on Oct. 12 when the Miller family found out their youngest son of five children, Timmy, had Leukemia.
“We all just cried, weeping and hugging each other,” said Darci Miller, Timmy’s mother. “Heartbreaking, sad, emotional. Not sure what the future will bring.”
Miller said she is overwhelmed with the kindness and gratitude of people to want to help her family out and seeing the project gives her family hope and relief as they try to deal with the devastating cancer news.
“Really, honestly a miracle. Just angels of people coming in here, happily helping,” she said.
Culley said they are still looking for plumbers and other contractors who would like to volunteer their time. You can email her at Jackieculleydesign@gmail.com. For those wanting to donate, a GoFundMe* account has been set up here.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
