Tiffani's miracle

Parallel stories are being told in Doniphan, Mo.

One is the story of a 12-year-old girl named Tiffani Murray, who has fought death with every ounce of energy she could muster. Diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Tiffani has gone through numerous recoveries. All of the health problems have taken their toll. Her closest brush with death resulted in a dramatic resuscitation and brain damage.

The other story is the town's response. In June, a Doniphan Ministerial Alliance meeting generated an idea. Someone mentioned that the family, who lives in a singlewide trailer, had once applied for ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover." The Doniphan group thought, "Who needs ABC?" The town went to work. At the end of July, volunteer workers began pouring concrete. A week ago Saturday, the family started moving in. It's being called "Tiffani's Miracle Makeover."

Doniphan raised more than $90,000 toward the $155,000 house. Not bad for a town of 1,900. The Ministerial Alliance still has a $60,000 loan to pay off. This generosity has been questioned by some who wonder why Tiffani's family was helped when others need assistance. But the overwhelming majority of people in Doniphan are supportive, and should be.

Because of the town's efforts, Tiffani will be able to maneuver her wheelchair around her own house. Her mother, Glenda Murray, who has spent most of the last year in the hospital, will have one less thing to worry about. And Doniphan will be viewed as a generous, soft-hearted town by thousands who hear about the story.