Lina Rak was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 16 months on 4/16/01 after a week of stomach flu-like symptoms. At diagnosis we discovered that the black eye and constant watery eye (which we attributed to a normal childhood fall) were actually hallmarks of stage IV neuroblastoma.

Lina was a remarkably happy and communicative baby. She retained this charming personality throughout her treatment: 7 rounds of chemo, tandem stem cell transplants, monoclonal antibodies, radiation, and Accutane. She was a cooperative, though assertive patient, incorporating medical jargon into her toddler vocabulary: “Tylenol,” “bactrim,” and “CT scan” were just part of her conversations with her beloved nurses at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic. We remember how adamant she was as a 2 year old during her stem cell transplants. She had to put her heart monitor stickers on by herself, and she was insistent on “the clip” for her pulse ox, not “the sticker.”

Lina beat the odds, and is a happy, healthy 8-year-old today. She loves her 2nd grade class, especially math. She loves to read and play on the computer. She also loves to hang out with her friends. And she occasionally likes playing with her 4 year old brother, Luka, especially when he does what she tells him to! Lina says it’s fun to host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and she has enjoyed getting her friends involved too. She thinks the best part is “the money counting party” (our annual tradition after the stand). Mom and Dad think the best parts are the survivors who come out to share their stories, and sharing Lina’s story of hope with other families.

Thank you Jay & Liz for continuing Alex's mission to bring hope for a cure to all children with cancer!

The Rak Family - St. Augustine, FL