Fundraiser Details
When
February 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019
Many know this about me however I know there are several who don't. It is not something that is very obvious upon meeting me unless I am wearing a bikini or crop top, I don't think I have to say how slim those chances are! Around May 1985 I was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. I was only three months old. My dad had his arm in a cast from the prior year after he had a work accident crushing it in a printing press. My mother, only 20 years old, had an injured husband to care for and now a newborn facing a fatal diagnosis. Doctors took action rather quickly and decided I needed surgery to remove the melon sized tumor from my abdomen. Along with that they intended to remove all cancer as well. Taking an infant into that kind of surgery was a risk in itself so doctors had the unpleasant duty to advise my parents the odds of my survival were about 50-50 if not less. Somehow they kept their faith and love first and tried to avoid negativity. After the operation and constant monitoring it appeared things were going to be okay. Miraculously, shortly after my 7th birthday I was deemed CANCER FREE!! The only thing that remains from that time is a lenghty scar starting from on top of my navel around the right side of my body. I had nightmares when I was younger that were like visions of being in a cage which turned out to be memories from the hospital crib I was in during that time.
I wish I could say young kids aren't dealing with this type of cancer as badly or as much anymore. Unfortunately neuroblastoma is still one of the top five types of cancer children are diagnosed with. About 800 new cases each year in the USA and that number has remained relatively the same for many years. Hearing of innocent children loosing their lives to cancer, especially neuroblastoma, is extremely hard for me. Last year we held a lemonade stand to raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and for my birthday I would like to continue donating. The family who created this organization lost their daughter, Alex, to neuroblastoma. So as you can imagine this foundation holds a special place in my heart.
