Three-time cancer survivor, grandson hope angel can help this holiday season

Spread holiday cheer with Angel Tree

ORLANDO, Fla. – Janice Siplin and her 9-year-old grandson, Janarus, are inseparable. The two live together in a small home on Parramore Avenue. 

She said it has taken her a long time to find a home after a rough past. 

"I had a happy childhood, but things started to go south after I got grown and, as they say, into the world." said Siplin. 

Not only was Siplin homeless at one point in her life, she is a three-time cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed with ovarian, breast and liver cancer. Siplin is retired and has full custody of her grandson.

"I got my grandson three years ago through DCF from Hillsborough County by way of his mom," she added.

With various opportunities in life, she wants the best for Janarus, who is a straight-A student at Ace Elementary, which is why she is asking for angel to help out. 

"He's never got to experience anything. He's never been to Disney or Universal,"  she said. 

This year, Janarus is hoping he can open some Christmas gifts under the tree and is asking for a Nintendo Switch and a PlayStation 4. 

"And a new chess board!" Janarus said. 

Siplin said she also wants to make sure her grandson learns the holidays are not about giving and receiving -- they're more than that.

"Christmas means a lot to me because material stuff, you can get a dime a dozen. You can get it every day, but true friends, family, that's precious," she said.

If you wish to help out the Siplin family, you can adopt an angel by going to the News 6 station or the Mall at Millenia. You can also go online at salvationarmyorlando.org.

All gifts must be turned in by Dec. 8. 


About the Author:

Ezzy Castro is a multimedia journalist on News 6's morning team who has a passion for telling the stories of the people in the Central Florida community. Ezzy worked at WFOR CBS4 in South Florida and KBMT in Beaumont, Texas, where she covered Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Being from Miami, Ezzy loves Cuban coffee and croquetas!

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