Patricia (Patty) Lynn Rogers had just had her 12th birthday in 2011 when she was suddenly paralyzed from the waist down.

After emergency surgery to remove a tumor that was wrapped around her spine, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that usually affects children under the age of five. She was given little chance to live beyond that year, and we were told that she would never walk again. 
Despite that grim prognosis, Patty took her first unaided steps six months later. She also lived through that year, and the next, and the next, and so on. With the aid of various case studies and an iron will, Patty defeated the odds again and again. 
Patty had an incredible sense of humor and a steadfast group of friends and other supporters who made even the most difficult times not just bearable, but made her arduous journey an adventure. 
Among those supporters was Alex's Lemonade Stand. In addition to raising funds for cancer research, like the studies that Patty took part in, Alex's Lemonade Stand helps support families as they travel to hospitals and doctors' appointments and other medical treatments. They provided lodging, food, and gas cards for the many trips we made from Lafayette, Indiana to Cincinnati, Ohio. In our travels, we met so many other families who benefited from this support as well as the research that is funded by Alex's Lemonade Stand.

We relied upon this aid through eight and a half years while Patty lived with cancer. On September 3, 2019, the adventure ended, and we said goodbye to our little girl. Had it not been for the overwhelming support from foundations like Alex's Lemonade Stand, her journey would have ended much sooner. 

This September, please remember Patty by helping other children and their families to have hope. Join her team and raise funds by walking, running, biking, or whatever your favorite mode of travel, and asking your friends and other supporters to donate per mile, or even make a lump sum donation on behalf of your efforts. 
I look forward to seeing your stories and how far you go in support of this most worthy cause! Whatever you do, please help raise awareness of childhood cancer and go gold in September!