Nightbirde’s Inspiring Words to Child With Cancer Will Bring You to Tears
By Movieguide® Staff
AGT star Jane Marczewski, best known by her stage name Nightbirde, died on Feb. 19 after a four-year battle with cancer.
Nightbirde’s Golden Buzzer performance on AGT and her optimistic outlook on life despite her circumstances made her a fan favorite.
Even as Nightbirde made the world stage, she reached out to a young fan named Riley, who was diagnosed with Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE) in Fall 2020.
“The opportunity to bless this young teen with some encouragement had ‘Jane’ written all over it,” Editor-in-Chief of Standing for Freedom Center, John Wesley Reid, wrote. “No surprise, Jane jumped at the opportunity when I called her. In the video, Jane shares of her own journey and encourages Riley to expect the impossible and to wait on God’s plan.”
“I heard about your story from a friend of mine and I wanted to take a second and reach out and say, ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.’ I understand at least a little bit what it is to be so disappointed and just confused and angry and all of the feelings,” Nightbirde told Riley in a video. “But cancer is not all you are. I also heard that you love to sing and you love to play sports and you love to hang out with your friends and that you’re definitely not letting the word ‘cancer’ disrupt your beautiful life — and that takes a lot of courage.”
Despite EHE’s low survival rates, Nightbirde told Riley to hold on to hope.
“Always, always remember that it doesn’t matter what the odds are or what the statistics say. Doctors can tell you what usually happens, and what could happen, but they can never tell you what will happen to you and your future,” she said.
“Never forget that even though life is so, so hard and so, so unfair, life is also so beautiful and full of gifts and full of joy, and when you get sick the way that you’re sick and the way that I’ve been sick, we actually get a really special gift to be able to see the world in a way that most people don’t get to see the world,” she continued. “And my prayer for you is that you keep your eyes open, and you keep looking for things to be thankful for and you keep looking for the gifts and that you listen and hear God speak because I think God has a little extra something special for people that hurt the way that we’ve been hurt and those who are still brave enough to listen.
“So I’m praying for you and I believe in you. I’m proud of you and I’m just cheering for you and rooting you on and so many other people are too, and we know that you can totally do this.”
After her diagnosis in 2020, Riley got baptized.
Riley’s father, Aaron, said:
What sometimes appears to be a curse can be a blessing. Our time on earth is not guaranteed and we are here to take advantage of every day to worship God and appreciate the blessings we have in life. We tend to get caught up in our everyday routines of life and miss the things so important: God, Family, and Friends … When she was diagnosed with EHE cancer, it, of course, was a shock. Our family became very aware of how precious each day is and our relationship with the Lord and each other. She has always kept a positive attitude and it impacts those around her. We have learned to take each day one at a time and thank God for the days we have.
Read Also: Nightbirde’s Family, Friends, and Fans Share Tributes: ‘God Is Glorified Through Her Story’
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
