CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Hundreds of people are rallying around a Charlotte family whose toddler was diagnosed with cancer this holiday season.

The Palmer family already was preparing for a busy Christmas, as mom Lauren was expecting the birth of twins. Two-year-old Jennings was diagnosed with leukemia just weeks before Lauren was due to give birth. The family also has a 4-year-old daughter, Caroline.

“No parent wants to go through a cancer diagnosis,” said Jennings’ mother Lauren. “It's an excruciating nightmare. But as we reflect on what Christmas means, we know Jesus came to save us from the brokenness of this world. We believe God made Jennings and loves him even more than we do. We trust Him and his plan for Jennings' life.”

After Jennings was diagnosed, the community started pulling together to help with everything from moral support to financial donations.

To support Jennings’ father, more than 100 men from the F3 workout group came to the hospital for a workout.

Others have given blood in Jennings’ honor, purchased T-shirts in support of the family and given more than $17,000 in donations. The family is using the hashtag #allinforjennings to support the toddler and share his journey.

On Dec. 20, Jennings became a big brother. The twins were born in the very hospital where Jennings is receiving treatment.  Palmer told Channel 9 they were bringing the babies home from the hospital Saturday.

Jennings hasn’t met his baby brother and sister yet, because his mother said he is too sick to do so. Instead, he’s relied on video chats to see the babies.

Jennings’ story is being chronicled by his parents on his CaringBridge site.

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