PEWAUKEE, Wis. — For the past couple of weeks, Heather Krings and her husband Jack take shifts staying at the hospital with their youngest daughter, Delaney. 

Less than two months ago, Delaney Krings was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She is just 4-years-old.

“It’s something that’s not treatable by chemo, radiation or any other surgery,” said Heather Krings. “So unfortunately, she will pass away.” 

(Courtesy of Heather Krings)

It all started with an ear infection that wasn’t going away. After another visit to her pediatrician and a CT scan, Heather and Jack Krings received the news no parent wants to hear. 

Delaney had a tumor on both sides of her brain, all the way down to the brain stem. 

“It’s a little bit more to the right side, so she has a side effect of basically like a stroke,” said Krings. “Her left side is very affected.” 

It’s left Delaney with a crooked smile, but one that still brightens any room.

(Courtesy of Heather Krings)

Heather Krings said the doctors are giving Delaney until Christmas. That means she’s not able to go on her Make-a-Wish trip to Disney World.

So the community has come together to make her 5th birthday on Dec. 16 a special and magical one with a drive-by parade.  

“We have offers from local police and fire departments to have squad cars come in,” said Krings. “We’ve got local community members decorating their vehicles, dressing up as Disney princesses to do this drive-by parade.” 

That’s not the only thing the community has done. Jack’s mother created a GoFundMe account to help with medical bills. It has generated thousands of dollars.

She’s also received birthday cards from thousands of people. Not just from here in Wisconsin, but also from across the country. 

“She’s an amazing kid and I think that so many people out there have seen her story that she’s going to be taken away from us too soon,” said Krings. 

Delaney has also received gifts.

Sharon Tomlinson is a friend of the family. She has been in charge of collecting the cards and gifts for Delaney. 

“I cannot tell you the endless amount of cards that we’re receiving, packages, phone calls, emails, text,” said Tomlinson. “This community from here to around the world is banning together to try and make a difference.” 

From her favorite snack of cheesy poofs, to dolls and toys from her favorite Disney movie “Frozen,” love is all around Delaney. 

(Courtesy of Heather Krings)

“How do you tell a 4-year-old that they’re going to pass away in a month? How do you tell them? You can’t,” said Krings. “She knows a lot of people are sending her birthday cards because it’s going to be one special birthday.” 

Delaney said she knows she has “ouchies” in her brain and that she’s sick, but her contagious grin still keeps her parents on their toes. 

“Her smile, her laugh, her love, just her sweet personality and her witty comebacks and terrible knock-knock jokes,” said Krings. 

While the next few weeks will be the hardest days for the Krings’ family, they’ll continue loving and showing Delaney how big of an impact her five incredible years on earth have made on them. 

Delaney’s birthday parade will start at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Peffer Park in Pewaukee. 

You can click here to donate to Delaney’s GoFundMe account. 

Birthday cards can also be mailed to:

Delaney Krings
C/O Shorewest Realtors
1296 Summit Avenue
Oconomowoc, WI 53066