Fundraiser Details

 

Share this page

We Reached

$100

We Reached

$50

Katie- Your page looks great! Thank you for your support!!


- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation


This is the story of my sweet, beautiful niece who has battled cancer and won! We love you so much Gin!


Virginia’s Cancer Journey


Just after Virginia’s second birthday she developed an ear infection. A few days after she had finished her antibiotics, her fever was back. We went back to the doctor and were given another antibiotic for an ear infection in both ears this time. An otherwise, very healthy baby we chalked it up to being around other kids at a Mother’s Day Out program she had recently started. This pattern continued for the next two months however…as soon as she finished an antibiotic, the fever would come back. The week before Thanksgiving, she had developed pneumonia, and on Thanksgiving Day 2006 her fever was up to 104. We took her to the ER where they did blood work, admitted her and started her on IV antibiotics. The following day they repeated the labs and based on the numbers her doctor suspected leukemia and referred us to a pediatric oncologist. On November 27, 2006 a bone marrow biopsy confirmed it. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia precursor b-cell. (ALL) Her treatment began the following day… surgery to implant a port-a-cath, IV and oral chemotherapy, and spinal taps with chemotherapy.


The treatment for her type of cancer lasted 2 years and 2 months. Fortunately, she only had to be hospitalized three times during treatment for illnesses and transfusions, the oral and IV chemotherapy and lumbar punctures with chemotherapy were all outpatient visits and given at home.


On February 2, 2014 we celebrated 5 years off-treatment! Today Virginia is a strong, smart, beautiful 5th grader. Luckily she doesn’t remember much about her treatment, but I do…I know how strong and brave she is.


Katie Martin joined the team!