Young girl fighting cancer receives surprise Christmas parade from first responders

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — First responders and community service departments with Hidalgo County visited Mercedes on Monday to surprise a young girl who is battling cancer.

The 5-year-old girl was surrounded with her family as she was surprised outside her home with a Christmas parade hosted by the Mercedes Police Department and social service agencies in Hidalgo County.

The Hidalgo County Commission Service Agency (CSA) learned about the girl and her battle with cancer through United Way, a global organization that helps those in need.

One thing that stood out to the Hidalgo County CSA when learning about the little girl and her family is their tradition to attend the Weslaco Christmas parade.

This year, the family couldn't attend the parade due to the girl's illness.

To continue the tradition, Hidalgo County county officials brought the parade to the girl and her family.

"It took two phone calls. Then those two phone calls turned into four phone calls and all of the agencies showed up," said Monica Hinojosa, Emergency Services Coordinator with Hidalgo County CSA.

The parade featured floats with gifts and donations to give to the family.