This summer, a community in Bethesda, Maryland hung lights, decked the halls and donned their Christmas jammies in honor of one very special 9-year-old girl: Kasey Zachmann, who has terminal brain cancer.
“She ran as she hasn’t ran in years,” said Kasey’s dad Joe Zachmann told the NBC Nightly News of his daughter’s reaction to the “Christmas for Kasey” event. “She wanted to be right in the middle of it.”
Kasey was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called medulloblastoma when she was just five years old. In the last four years, she has endured surgeries, procedures, chemotherapies, radiation and clinical trials. On June 23, 2025, Joe and Alyssa, Kasey’s mom, learned that she may only have weeks left with her family. Cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
The news set the Zachmanns in motion to turn their daughter’s original diagnosis day, June 28, into Christmas Day.
Kacey waves to friends and neighbors who turned her diagnosis day (June 28) into Christmas Day.
Allison Robbert for The Washington Post / Getty Images
“I was trying to think of fun things that we could do for Kasey to build memories … so we thought it would be amazing to give her the chance to celebrate Christmas one last time,” Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine.
Kasey has always loved Christmas. According to the Washington Post, she watches the “Home Alone” movies and sings Christmas carols year-round. (Gwen Stefani’s “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” is at the top of her own personal Christmas chart.)
Kasey’s parents emailed a handful of neighbors asking them to put up Christmas lights, noting: “This week will be incredibly hot and not the best climate for putting up lights, but we’re not sure how much time we have.”
And boy, did the elves get to work!
Kacey and her mother approach the parade in front of their home in Bethesda, Maryland.
Allison Robbert for The Washington Post / Getty Images
“All of the neighbors were out there just sweating as we hung Christmas lights,” neighbor Alison Goradia told NBC Nightly News.
With just six days notice, more than 24 firetrucks drove over to Kasey’s house, and Santa Claus himself sat atop an antique fire engine. Hundreds of homes were lit up to greet Kasey, who wore a Nutcracker-themed pink dress. There were surprises, cards and gifts for Kasey, who generously shared with her little sister, Zara.
Neighbors gather in front of Kacey’s home to see her and Santa.
Allison Robbert for The Washington Post / Getty Images
“It was magical. We tried to get to every single house, so it took us two hours to drive around,” Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine. “There were people standing out in the rain, waiting to cheer us on. There are really no words to describe how incredible everyone is.”
There was also a virtual effort to celebrate Kasey: supporters sent holiday photos and video from all 50 states and several countries, too.
“June 28th for us has been ‘diagnosis day,’ has been a heavy day for us,” explained Alyssa to NBC Nightly News.
“For us to now be able to think about June 28 as Christmas in June, especially next year, we’re so thankful.”
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