Marissa was outgoing, athletic and a fashionista! She always had a smile, no matter how bad of a day she was having. 
 
Marissa had taken several trips to her doctor for what was believed to be a stomach bug. One day while playing with her brother, he accidentally kicked her in the stomach. Marissa’s mom, Jessica, took her to the ER. After a few scans, doctors decided Marissa needed to be transferred to Dell Children’s Hospital immediately. After two hours, Jessica was told Marissa had kidney renal carcinoma. Her brother’s accidental kick was hard enough to irritate the tumor on her kidney. For a 9-year-old, this was the worst news ever. 
 
Marissa’s body was too weak for radiation, so she had to take chemo pills daily. 
 
Sadly, Marissa succumbed to treatment and passed away on January 28, 2015, at the age of 11.
 
Jessica hopes for the future is to find a cure because “this thing is not rare in children… it’s real and has taken my child.” She advises other families that you’re not alone and it will be a journey worth all the time and memories!
 
Marissa is her mother’s hero because fight after fight, bad news after bad news, she never had a frown. 
 
Quote: “It’s gonna be a long road momma, but if you got me, I got you.” – Marissa  
 
Information provided by Jessica Ayala, Marissa’s Mother
February 2016