Marnie

Diagnosed August 28, 2009, at the age of 5, with Stage IV Wilms Tumor.

Marnie started Kindergarten on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. She rode the school bus home on the second and third day. Marnie thought it was the second most exciting thing ever - the most exciting event being the Coldplay concert she attended earlier that month.

We took Marnie to the Emergency Room at 9:30 pm on Thursday night with stomach pains. We were expecting to hear she had appendicitis. An X-ray, Ultrasound, CT scan and 5 1/2 hours later, we heard the words that shattered our world. Our precious, perfectly healthy daughter had a Wilms Tumor in her right kidney and the cancer had metastasized into her lungs. The largest spot in Marnie's right lung was the size of a golf ball. Marnie's treatment protocol involves 2 rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, surgery to remove her right kidney, 8 days of radiation and 9 additional rounds of chemotherapy. Marnie's last scheduled chemotherapy round was April 26, 2009.

We have watched Marnie become a strong, brave, determined little girl. This has changed our lives forever. We are better people because of Marnie. We are determined to fight for Marnie. We are determined to fight for all present and future childhood cancer patients. These children need our love and financial support for a cure. The children do not need your pity. Talk to the next cancer kid you see instead of staring or looking away quickly. They will touch your heart and you will never be the same. Please join the fight to find a cure.