Emma Edwards, a 10-year-old with dreams of marriage, found a way to celebrate her love despite the odds. Alongside her sweetheart, Daniel Marshall Christopher “DJ” Williams Jr., Emma attempted a school wedding ceremony, only to be told they couldn’t marry on campus. Undeterred, their love story continued, and on June 29, they shared a heartwarming celebration – a mere 12 days before Emma’s untimely passing due to leukemia.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in April 2022, Emma’s parents, Alina and Aaron Edwards, of Walnut Cove, North Carolina, hoped for her recovery. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer affecting blood and bone marrow, is the most common cancer among children. Fortunately, treatments provide a positive prognosis for many patients.
However, in June, the family received a devastating update: Emma’s condition was incurable, and her time was limited to mere days. Determined to make the most of their time, Alina and DJ’s mothers orchestrated a heartwarming “wedding” ceremony.
“It all came together so quickly. In less than two days, we arranged everything, and generous donations made it possible,” shared Alina. The garden ceremony, attended by around 100 guests, showcased the beauty of love and community support. Emma’s father walked her down the aisle, a friend officiated, a Bible verse was read, and her best friend stood as the maid of honor.
Alina praised DJ, her new son-in-law, for his genuine and caring nature: “DJ is the sweetest soul you’ll ever meet. He has a heart of gold and he really loves Emma.”
Emma’s journey took an unexpected turn when, seemingly healthy, she fell and was taken to the hospital. It was then that doctors discovered cancer in her leg bones, a shock to her previously robust health. The cancer had already eroded her bones, causing weakness and pain.
The community rallied around Emma, expressing their support. Bowman Gray Stadium race car drivers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sported “Emma’s Army” stickers during a racing event in July, with the stickers sold to raise funds for the Edwards family’s medical expenses.
Despite her challenges, Emma had a clear vision of her dreams. Alina shared, “Most kids want to go to Disneyland, but Emma wanted to get married, be a wife and have three kids. She was a sweetheart. I always say we must have made marriage look really fun because that’s all she wanted.”