Sunland family's Christmas display pays tribute to boy who succumbed to tumor

SUNLAND, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Jaxon Curiel was just 5 years old when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

He was treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, where his strength and loving spirit inspired the staff.

After a courageous 17-month battle, Jaxon passed away in September, just a month after he turned 7.

"Even up to the last hospitalization, he went to school that day," his mother, Melissa Curiel, recalls. "He went to his Lego academy after school that day. He went to his jujitsu class that night."

The Curiel family's dear friends Lindsey and Dan Aguilar were there for them every step of the way. They all made and wore matching shirts declaring "Brave for Jaxon" and participating in fundraising events for St. Jude's.

And now, this holiday season, they're paying a special tribute to Jaxon.

The Aguilars put up a big holiday light display every year at their Sunland home but this time they are including a special tribute to Jaxon.

"The motivation was not there to build anything new this year. I try to build something new every year. This year I knew I had to do something for Jaxon."

At the very top, overshadowing all the other lights is the message BRAVE FOR JAXON, flanked by two angels.

At ground level is a sign explaining the message and urging people to donate to St. Jude's in Jaxon's honor.

"We're going to have this on the roof of our house," said Lindsey Aguilar. "People are going to ask themselves, who's Jaxon? Then have the signs in front with QR codes, so anyone who feels moved by his story - if they look up Brave for Jaxon, they'll hopefully want to donate and give back to St. Jude's, which gave our friends so much."

The families invite you to visit 10144 Wheatland Ave. in Sunland to enjoy the lights and feel the spirit of Christmas through Jaxon's story and possibly make a donation to St. Jude's in his memory.

You can also donate to St. Jude's in Jaxon's honor at this link.