Arielanna’s Story: A Pop of Purple and a Lot of Joy

In the summer of 2024, 12-year-old Arielanna Perez of Mississippi began experiencing vision problems. After testing at University Medical Center in Jackson, she was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant glial brain tumor. Following weeks of treatment at Children’s Hospital, she returned home just before Christmas with a terminal prognosis.

Despite the challenges, Arielanna’s faith grew stronger. When she enrolled with our Compassus hospice team in Meridian, MS, she was bedbound, experiencing blurred vision and weakness. Still, she continued schoolwork, video games and time with her family and pets. Her hospice aide, Niki Caples, visited twice a week, providing care and “girl time” with hair, nails and laughter.

Gradually, Arielanna regained her strength. She shared updates about walking farther, visiting stores with her Nana and showing off her kittens and TikToks. From the beginning, she told Compassus Chaplain Jimmy Williams that her “one thing” was to have purple hair for her 14th birthday in September.

With her oncologist’s approval, Compassus social workers Leah Hamilton and Haley Skinner partnered with Rebecca Tillman at Compassus Living Angels and local beautician Tina Barrett to make it happen. Living Angels arranged a limo ride and a salon celebration, complete with balloons and music. Her lunch request: McDonald’s.

“Last year on my birthday, I was in the hospital being told I had terminal cancer,” Arielanna said from the salon chair. “Today, I’m here getting my hair done.”

The transformation was stunning. With her new purple hair and a radiant smile, Arielanna celebrated surrounded by family, caregivers and joy.

At Compassus, we are honored to help patients like Arielanna make every moment count.