Hundreds of Lexington residents support Emma Johnson’s fight against cancer

LEXINGTON, Tenn. —  Three years ago, a Lexington teenager was diagnosed with cancer. After two surgeries to remove tumor more than 80 lymph nodes, Emma Johnson is preparing for her third surgery with Lexington residents right behind her.

Although the 16-year-old sings well, that is not why hundreds were inside the Lexington Civic Center, Saturday.

“When she leaned her head back one Sunday to sing, it popped out, it was a baseball size tumor,” Emma’s mother Ginger Johnson said. “I said, Oh my gosh, she’s got something wrong. So it was then we found out she had thyroid cancer.”

After three years of battling thyroid cancer, the disease has returned. This time around Emma will leave Tennessee for treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Saturday afternoon Lexington residents hosted a benefit to help with medical and travel expenses.

“It’s wonderful you know only in the South, at least that’s what I say, people come out and support in great numbers,” performer Joan Gregory said.

“I never in my life imagined that there would be so many people to be my backbone, to support me,” Emma Johnson said. “To have all these people here is just really amazing. You feel so loved.”

Henderson County firefighters served a white bean dinner followed by entertainment. There was also an auction for donated items.. Just another way the community has shown their support for Emma.

“It’s not about the money,” Emma’s little brother Caleb Johnson said. “It’s about everybody coming in and pouring their love into this. It’s all about the prayers. Money wouldn’t mean anything without the prayers.”

Although Emma likes to joke around she said her life will be a testimony.

“You know, there’s a merciful God,” Emma said. “I’m talking, I’m living, I’m breathing. That’s what’s important. I’ve the most supportive family in the entire world and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else. And I wouldn’t want to be in a different situation. It’s a blessing.”

The Johnson family will return to Houston in about 4 to 6 months to begin the preparations for Emma’s third and hopefully final surgery. The Johnsons told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News they did not set goal amount of money they wanted to raise tonight but anything helps.

To find out how you can help Emma, visit the “Seen on 7” section.