Supporters Hold Vigil Outside Carson's Home

INDIANAPOLIS -- About 200 people on Friday evening held a candlelight vigil outside U.S. Rep. Julia Carson's Indianapolis home, where she is receiving hospice care.

Carson, a Democrat who has represented Indianapolis in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, revealed last weekend that she has terminal lung cancer. Participants of the vigil, which had been suggested by the congresswoman's grandson Sam Carson, prayed for her health and comfort, 6News' Julie Pursely reported.

The 30-minute event happened outside Julia Carson's home in the 2500 block of North Park Avenue.

"The last thing that I remember Ms. Carson saying is that whatever you believe in, stand up for it as long as it's right. You might have to stand alone sometimes, but stand anyway," said Brenda Turner, one of the vigil's participants.

Sam Carson said his grandmother has been sitting up and talking. She was moved by vigil, he said.

Carson said this week in a statement that she does not plan to seek re-election to Congress in 2008.

Carson has been on leave from Congress since September, when she was hospitalized for what her staff said was a severe leg infection.