On January 5, 2005, Lyrissa Bray, a beautiful, seemingly perfect and healthy little girl was diagnosed with stage four, high-risk, unfavorable neuroblastoma. She was given a 30-50% chance of survival. That summer, she went into multi-system organ failure from the toxicity of the treatment. Her doctor at CHOP later told her parents that Lyrissa's survival was a "true miracle." They learned this summer that her one remaining kidney has suffered damage from the radiation and chemo, and that she is in stage two (of five stages) of kidney disease. Despite all of that, Lyrissa is stable and thriving today!

She plays piano, volleyball and is a great artist!  Her mom says “Somehow, some way, I hit the jackpot when I got lucky enough to be called "mom" by this little hero! Today is a celebration for me, for the one thing I begged for in 2005 -time! I love you Roo, and I will NEVER give up on you!”

Information provided by Margi Bray, Lyrissa's proud mom
January 2015

Photo: Lyrissa during her cancer treatment