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Ishani is our 9 year old daughter, who was diagnosed at age 3 with Rhabdomyosarcoma. She underwent surgery and radiation on her calf followed by chemotherapy for one year. The next 18 months were great - she played soccer for the first time and loved it. She learned to swim and started Kindergarten. Sadly in January 2009 she was diagnosed with a relapse. She was back on treatment again. She lost her hair again. She missed out on all the fun activities that children enjoy doing. She attended school whenever she could. She missed being with her friends everyday. She spent countless hours at the clinic getting treatment, transfusions and scans. She spent days feeling nauseated and tired. Yet.... she did not lose her smile. She tried to keep up with everyone around her. She enjoyed every good day that she had. She taught us how to be strong. In December 2009 she completed her treatment. She will need 3 monthly scans due to the high risk of another relapse. She has been an inspiration to us all. When I read the book "Alex's amazing lemonade stand" it inspired me. I realized that kids, no matter what they are going through continue to teach us how to live our lives. They teach us how to be strong and how to love and help others. It is time that we as adults speak out loud for these brave kids. We need to be their advocate. We need to increase awareness of childhood cancer in our community. We need to raise money so that more clinical trials can be done and new drugs found. Maybe some day there will be a written protocol for treatment of recurrent Rhabdomyosarcoma. I hope that by getting involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand, I will be able to help fulfil Alex's dream of a Cure for every child diagnosed with cancer and bring Hope for every family who has a child with cancer. Thank you for your support. Dash (Ishani's mom)
Addendum: In November of 2011 Ishani had normal scans. She has been in remission for 2 years. She is enjoying third grade and excited that she can play soccer again. We are so grateful! In the past 3 years we have raised over $40,000 for ALSF and childhood cancer research. 36 kids are diagnosed each day in the U.S and 7 kids lose their fight each day. Until that day when a Cure is found for all children diagnosed with cancer, we will FIGHT!!!! Please join us!!
