Chronicles of Marnia

September is Childhood cancer Awareness Month. Every day this month, I'll be posting about a child we met through my daughter Peyton's journey through cancer from 2003-2004.

I also dedicate this series to my brave little fighter Peyton, who this month, has reached the milestone of 5 years as cancer-free. In the cancer world, making it to 5 years is a near-guarantee her original cancer won't come back. But the ugly secret with childhood cancer is that secondary cancers often come back, sometimes as soon as 10 years from the original diagnosis. Ironically, these secondary cancers are caused by exposure to chemotherapy and radiation used to stop the original cancer.

As you read about the kids I'll profile, please pray for less invasive cures as research gets better and better. Please pray for the funding of the research, and please pray for the families of the kids effected by the devastation cancer can bring.

Julianna Banana was also a Caringbridge friend. Julianna hails from Winnepeg Canada (home of Winnie the Pooh as she's fond of reminding us!) Juliana was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 3 years old. She battled, beat it, but it came back. So Juliana did what she always did...she smiled, squared her shoulders and fought some more.

Julianna is now celebrating 5 years in remission! She's 9 years old and tells us that peace is finally back in her home :-) Please continue to pray for Julianna Banana's remission to stay put!



Childhood cancer research is woefully underfunded in comparison to adult cancers. But there are research hospitals who are making huge strides in curing cancer, and in the meantime, trying to make the treatment safer for the kids who endure it. Personally, my family and I help fund 3 organizations who are making a real difference in fighting childhood cancer. If you want to help, go to:

Curesearch,
St Jude Research Hospital,
Children's cancer Fund and Children's Medical Center of Dallas


Sometimes, all you can do is make a child smile to help them forget their illness or give families the support they need. We're big fans of these organizations as well:

Make A Wish, Habitat for Hope and Candlelighters Childhood cancer Foundation

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