Ashley Anderson's Story:

Ashley Anderson was a healthy, energetic, 8 year old girl.  After feeling extremely tired for “only 3 weeks” following a virus, she was diagnosed with AML (Acute Mylegenous Leukemia) on February 24, 2006.  Children with AML are given a 50% survival rate at diagnosis.

Doctors immediately began chemotherapy to try to put Ashley into remission.  After five weeks in the hospital, her bone marrow biopsy revealed that the chemotherapy was only partially effective and doctors informed us that Ashley would need a bone marrow transplant to survive.  Chemotherapy would not cure her.  As Ashley's parents and younger sister were not suitable donors, doctors were forced to use stem cells from cord blood of an unrelated donor.  Our family felt as if we had been hit by a train.

After an additional nine weeks of inpatient chemotherapy at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the treatment finally reduced Ashley's leukemia to an acceptable level for transplant.  On August 1, 2006, doctors began her transplant.  Even though the transplant was successful and her new white cells were beginning to function, Ashley was moved to ICU for 2 ½ months due to complications from high doses of chemotherapy and complications from Graft vs. Host disease (resulting from receiving cells of an unrelated donor).  From the side effects of these issues, she suffered three brain bleeds which led to three brain surgeries.  Ashley lost her courageous battle on November 17, 2006.

Ashley's fellow Girl Scouts built a beautiful garden at her elementary school in her memory.  In addition, a “Critter Corner” nook was constructed in her school's library and contains reading chairs for kids and books about animals, her favorite subject.

Her incredible strength, courage and determination are an inspiration to all.  She has made a profound impact on the lives of others, so many of whom have never met her.  Her beauty, intelligence and sweet spirit will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her.  We will never forget her incredible smile, abundant energy and terrific hugs.  We love and miss you Ashley.

CURE is an organization that strives to bring happy endings to stories like Ashley's.  It is our hope that CURE will continue to receive the support to fund the pediatric cancer research projects that are so desperately needed to save the lives of our precious children.  Thank you CURE for being there for us.
 

About September & CURE'S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE's Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.


About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.

Also, we wanted to give a special thanks to all of our offline donors.  We appreciate your support!

Helen Lester = $50.00

*The total for all offline donations is reflected in the offline donation box.