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On Thursday, “America’s Got Talent” contestant Evie Clair’s father, Amos Abplanalp, lost his battle with cancer. Evie Clair, a student from Florence, Arizona is a finalist in the NBC talent show featuring celebrity judges.
One year ago, Evie’s father was diagnosed with late stage cancer. She raised over $10,000 with a music video she created to help with her father’s hospital bills.
During her first performance on America’s Got Talent, Evie performed Christina Perri’s song “Arms,” a song she would often sing to her father.
“When my dad is having rough days, then I go up to his room and I sing him this song to help him feel better and just to give him comfort and strength to continue fighting,” Evie told the judges through her tears. Evie won a standing ovation and four yes votes from the judges.
Evie’s mother, Hillary has documented the families tribulations on the blog FamilyMann.org. She wrote:
September 6:
Last night was both incredible and horrific. The home videos they played before Evelyn’s performance touched me so deeply and carried into my dreams. I was only able to sleep for about an hour last night so I’m surprised I had a dream at all.
After her performance I found a quiet place back stage to tell her that her dad’s organs were failing and that he had been placed on life support.
September 7:
When our faithful children arrived we explained the situation and asked for their council in making this decision. They all agreed with tear filled eyes. We gave them each time alone with dad before turning off life-sustaining machines.
We watched him take his last breaths as he continued to breathe for about 15 minutes on his own. The children burst into tears but are now at home laughing at old home movies of daddy and remembering our great love for the most wonderful man any of us have ever known.
We find constant peace and joy in the knowledge that Jesus Christ paid the price of death so that it has no lasting victory. We will be with Amos again and we feel he can now be with us without the restrictions of his mortal body. Our faith in the Savior has grown today and our family has been strengthened forever.
A GoFundMe.org account has been set up to raise money for the family.