PORTLAND, Ore. -- A cancer patient who had 35 flamingo lawn ornaments stolen received some help from the Oregon Zoo on Friday.

The plastic flamingos were stolen just days after her friends placed the decorations in her yard to cheer her up.

Peggy Connolly, who was diagnosed with cancer in December, said a group of teenage boys drove up to her home and stole the pink birds Wednesday morning. Only three flamingos remained from the original flock of 38, Connolly said.

"I was in tears. I mean, it just broke my heart," Connolly said.

After hearing Connolly's story, the Oregon Zoo decided to help out.

The zoo loaned Connolly a new flock of flamingos to help get her through the treatments.

Connolly now has 50 flamingos stationed in her yard.