Chloe Baker's Story:

Chloe was diagnosed with ALL just 7 days after beginning kindergarten. Without ever having a “sick” appointment and without any symptoms of illness we noticed tiny bruises on the bottom portion of her legs.  With one phone call and without seeing her the Pediatricians Assistant that had always conducted Chloe’s "well visits" sent us immediately to Scottish Rite blood clinic.  Happily playing we took Chloe off the gymnasium floor and delivered her to Scottish Rite.  A mere 40 minutes later we were surrounded by a team of Hematologists, Child Life Counselors, and of course, the doctor that you never want your child to meet --- a Pediatric Oncologist.  Within the next 3 hours one life collapsed and another began.  This was now our family’s life of fighting for our precious daughter’s life.  Chloe was immediately admitted to the hospital, to begin 2 to 2 ½ years of cancer treatment.

If childhood cancer were not enough for our 5 year old to have to fight we soon learned that there would be problems with her treatment.  Chloe’s body began to overreact and reject even the smallest amount of the treatment.   Before we knew it we were hospitalized once, twice, three times then the times we feared most.  While in the hospital being treated for an infection Chloe slipped into a Grand Mal Seizure that put her in a coma like state.  Suddenly fighting cancer didn’t exist and now we may have lost our little girl to something that seemed so cruelly unnecessary.  The lord came to our rescue and many days later Chloe opened her eyes and within 3 weeks she regained her sense of self and began to fully know all of us and move all of her limbs.  At that time we left Children’s but only briefly.  We were readmitted to fight another infection and after about 7 days the unimaginable began to happen.  Chloe’s organs began to reject the medications and began to struggle and to fail.  At this point, we were told Chloe would have to fight this fight on her own.  There was no medication that would reverse this state.  Again, cancer was the least of our fears.  Chloe began to need support for even the basics our body provides -- breathing and eating.  Astonishingly, within a few weeks when the picture looked the grimmest Chloe began to turn the corner and again we were rescued from the worst of situations.  In October, 2008 Chloe bravely finished her Leukemia treatment.  We celebrated with all of our might!  Today, Chloe is in 3rd grade and loves every minute of school, time with friends and ice skating, swimming and art.

We are incredibly blessed to have left the hospital with our daughter.  There are many parents that fight similar fights and don’t.  This is a story that is unique to Chloe but there are many of these very unique stories.  Stories of both children and adults that have rare situations that prevent them from being treated for cancer successfully.  We cherish those who were not too afraid to step out of their lives and into ours to witness the heinousness of pediatric cancer. Those who act, give, and speak on the behalf of children are the bravest of heroes! 

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!

Vivian Bettis = $50.00
Sandra Tooker = $25.00
Alex Kennedy = $20.00
Ellen Mesnick = $20.00
Melinda Hunter = $100.00
Richard and Marilyn Bellagamba = $50.00
Elaine Brennan = $50.00

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