Woman Given Weeks to Live Gets Christmas Early Thanks to Community: 'We Had to Do This'

Mar. 15, 2025

Christmas carols outdoors at night.Photo:FOTOGRAFIA INC./Getty

FOTOGRAFIA INC./Getty

A Virginia community has brought Christmas early to a woman withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), who has just weeks to live.

“Next week [is] Thanksgiving, and if she’s only got a couple of weeks, then now is the time,” Monteiro said.

Tracy has been battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for several years, per the reports.

The neurodegenerative condition impacts how nerve cells communicate with muscles in the human body, and leads to worsening muscle weakness that affects how a person moves, speaks and breathes, according to theCleveland Clinic.

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“[It’s] not a sad occasion, but a beautiful and a festive occasion, celebrating life and the season and celebrating her and just lifting her up,” Monteiro previously explained.

Tracy joined the carolers in song from her porch. Brian said caroling has always been his mother’s favorite part of Christmas. “This is the Christmas spirit,” he added.

She added, “I pray that she carries the love that she felt tonight every day that she has.”

source: people.com