BROOKFIELD, MO (KCTV) -
A little girl's fight with a big disease has brought a small Missouri town together.
The city of Brookfield is stepping up to try to help 9-year-old Ryenne Hicks beat cancer, and now the message is going international.
Ryenne has become the face of Brookfield and the hope of an online community worldwide.
"(She) has a huge personality. She is very spunky, a full-of-life kind of kid," Ryenne's mother, Jennifer Hicks, said.
And because of that personality, Ryenne touches the heart of nearly everyone she meets.
So much so when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the town of Brookfield started a Facebook community for her.
"It is a support network for all of us praying for Ryenne," family friend Angie Wallace said.
The town frequently holds fundraisers to help the family, and writes letters of hope to let the little girl know that they are with her.
After just a few days, the Facebook page, Ryenne's Hope, is now almost 2,000 members strong, with followers around the world.
In fact, one group in Ohio held a charity race last weekend in Ryenne's name.
"I really think that hope is what's driving us right now," Wallace said.
Ryenne's family says the town has been there for them since the beginning, and for that, they will always be grateful.
"The community had been unbelievable with everything they have done for us," Ryenne's dad, Burnie Hicks, said.
Sadly, doctors say making Ryenne comfortable is the goal right now and while her journey the past two years has been a hard one, the people in her hometown have been her cushion.
If anyone would like to know more about Ryenne, they can join the Facebook page, Ryenne's Hope, by clicking here.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
