Pickerington family gets holiday cheer for eighth grade cancer patient

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's the season of giving, and thanks to the help of some local elves, one central Ohio home is shining a little brighter on Wednesday.

Christmas came early this year for the McDuffie family. They have a lot to celebrate this holiday season. They're not taking any of it for granted, especially after their eighth grader Kamy was diagnosed with leukemia last year.

According to her mother Christa, they were totally caught off guard by the diagnosis. Kamy was on intense chemotherapy and too sick to celebrate the holidays last year. But just a month ago she received good news. "That's when the doctor said we can stop the intense chemo," Christ said. "She can start on monthly chemo. She can go back to school."

That's why this Christmas carries a lot more weight for the McDuffie's. Pickerington Local School District partnered with 'Humbug Holiday Lighting' to surprise Kamy with a Christmas light display. The company donated its time and services to transform her home into a winter wonderland. Owner, Tom Vennon, said he was happy to do it.

"It's one of the reasons why we went into business," Vennon said. "It's all about service. Service to others, service to community, service to the families." Kamy's father, Kermit, said that's what it's all about, not the gifts. "We always tell people we don't know how blessed we are, until you've got to go through something to realize it," Kermit said.

"Usually, every year it's like oh mom can I have this, and it's not even about that with her right now, it's just being with the family and friends," Christa said. "The stuff that she couldn't do last year. That's what's more important. That's what she talks about the most, really."

The light display on their home is now evidence of the community they have behind them, and a sign that this Christmas will be brighter than last for them. "We just hope that through our service to this family, others can look around their neighborhoods and see who else may need assistance," Vennon said. "Whether they need assistance in decorating, need assistance in just bringing the groceries in the house."

The McDuffie's said they're most excited to get back into their traditions. They said it's the simple things like decorating cookies with the family and looking at Christmas lights that may seem small but mean everything to them, especially Kamy.

"I just feel so much love," Kamy said. "We're just so thankful and we're grateful for the support," Christ said. "God is bigger than leukemia."