Christmas came early Saturday night for 6-year-old Arianna Jasso.
She was treated to a special surprise early Christmas, possibly her last, at Woodward Park, complete with Santa and his elves.
Arianna was diagnosed July 20 with a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which carries a life expectancy post-diagnoses of six to nine months.
Organizer Ronnie Duvall said Christmas is Arianna’s favorite holiday but the fear is she won’t be able to celebrate Dec. 25. He helped bring together local groups including law enforcement and first-responders to arrange the event with the help of the City of Fresno.
Arianna arrived in a limousine, was treated to a parade down a Christmas light-decorated path and received gifts including a miniature jeep.
“Merry Christmas!” Arianna told the crowd.
“Tonight meant the world to us,” said Arianna’s mother, Kristyn Burton.
Arianna Jasso, age 6, experiences a special surprise early Christmas, possibly her last, as Santa helps her into her new car at Woodward Park Saturday night, Nov. 21, 2020 in Fresno. Arianna was diagnosed July 20 with a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which carries a life expectancy post-diagnoses of six to nine months. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Arianna Jasso, age 6, is carried by Santa as she experiences a special surprise early Christmas, possibly her last, at Woodward Park Saturday night, Nov. 21, 2020 in Fresno. Arianna was diagnosed July 20 with a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which carries a life expectancy post-diagnoses of six to nine months. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Arianna Jasso, age 6, is carried by Santa as she experiences a special surprise early Christmas, possibly her last, at Woodward Park Saturday night, Nov. 21, 2020 in Fresno. Arianna was diagnosed July 20 with a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which carries a life expectancy post-diagnoses of six to nine months. Local groups including law enforcement scrambled to arrange the event with the help of the City of Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Arianna Jasso, age 6, laughs as she experiences a special surprise early Christmas, possibly her last, held by Santa at Woodward Park Saturday night, Nov. 21, 2020 in Fresno. Arianna was diagnosed July 20 with a brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) which carries a life expectancy post-diagnoses of six to nine months. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
