She had a smile that could brighten the darkest day.  Monday morning, Kelsey Michelsen of Des Moines lost her battle with brain cancer.  Now, her family is learning just how many lives their daughter touched.

We first introduced you to Kelsey when she was just 14-years old.  The bubbly South East Polk student had been diagnosed with brain cancer.  For the next year and a half, we watched Kelsey as she inspired others with her bravery.  Over the weekend, more than 500 people gathered in front of Kelsey’s home to sing Christmas carols…and help give her one last smile.

 “It was also important for her friends and people who loved her to be able to come in and say good bye to her while she was still alive and able to respond to them and know they were there.” says Kelsey’s mother, Tammy,  “We wanted her to be surrounded by people who loved her.  And she was.  Very much so.”

The family is still making funeral arrangements. They say their church is just too small to seat the hundreds of people that are expected to honor her..

 If you’d like to help the Michelsen’s with medical expenses, you can buy a Team Kelsey sweatshirt.  Contact the Southeast Polk’s Dance Team Coach Marianne Mayo at marianne.mayo@southeastpolk.org