Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) — Family and friends are preparing a banquet hall in Appleton for a summer prom on behalf of a 14-year-old girl with a terminal disease.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the party at the Grand Meridian Friday night celebrating the life of Jerika Bolen. She plans to arrive by limo with a police escort. The banquet room has already been decked out with paper lanterns, tablecloths, flower arrangements and party favors.
The teen has decided to stop fighting her terminal disease called spinal muscular atrophy type 2. She plans to soon disconnect from a ventilator that keeps her alive.
Jerika's story, first reported by The Post-Crescent, has been shared around the world. Letters, cards and gifts have poured in. Jerika and her mother say they wanted to share the story to raise awareness for the disease.
___
Information from: Post-Crescent Media, http://www.postcrescent.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.