- Christian Risner, 3, was diagnosed with Rhabdoid kidney cancer in April 2016
- After doctors said he wouldn’t make it to December, his small town of Lebo, Kansas, made Christmas come early in September this year
- Christian began hospice care in August and died Saturday in Emporia, Kansas
A three-year-old boy whose fight with cancer prompted his small southern Kansas hometown to celebrate Christmas in September died on Saturday.
Christian Risner’s family announced his death on a Facebook page they established after the then-two-year-old was diagnosed with Rhabdoid kidney cancer in April 2016.
When doctors said that he had three months to live, Christian’s family decided to bring Christmas to him early this year with a celebration on September 10.
When doctors said that he had three months to live, Christian’s family decided to bring Christmas to him early this year with a celebration on September 10
Christian Risner’s family announced his death on a Facebook page they established after the then-two-year-old was diagnosed with Rhabdoid kidney cancer in April 2016
Christian is pictured opening presents at his early Christmas festivities
The community went all-out to help Christian celebrate. A horse-drawn carriage is pictured
Christian is pictured above with his family. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and paternal grandparents
The blond-haired, clue-eyed three-year-old is all smiles at his celebration
The small town of Lebo, Kansas, which has about 940 people, put on a special celebration with Santa a horse-drawn sleigh and homes throughout the town decorated for the holiday.
Christian’s diagnosis came after his mother mother Sarah Risner found blood in his diaper.
She and her husband Josh went to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City where Christian was diagnosed with the disease that has caused tumors in his kidneys and lungs.
Christian began hospice care in August.
The Jones-Vans Arsdale Funeral Home says his funeral will take place Saturday at Lebo High School, with visitation before the service.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers and paternal grandparents.
Christian’s diagnosis came after his mother mother Sarah Risner found blood in his diaper. She and her husband took Christian to the hospital where he was diagnosed with the disease that has caused tumors in his kidneys and lungs
A large banner wishes Christian a Merry Christmas at his September celebration
Christian sits next to several plush stuffed animals that he got as Christmas gifts
The town of Lebo, Kansas, came together to give Christian a full-blown last Christmas
Neighbors are pictured stringing lights up a few months early to get in the Christmas spirit
Christian is pictured surrounded by members of the community on his early Christmas