Mekena Lily's brave journey in the fight against cancer.
*** UPDATE JANUARY 7, 2017:
It's been nearly 2 years since Mekena's diagnosis with stage IV neuroblastoma. With everyone's help we have raised $23,960 to support the family through this trying time, WOW! The money raised has allowed her mother to be able to leave work and dedicate her time round-the-clock as Mekena's primary caregiver, without having to worry about getting behind on bills. THANK YOU to everyone who has shown love and support, both financially and emotionally throughout Mekena's Journey so far.
Now, with Mekena nearing the end of her treatment, we are asking for another fundraising effort to help pay expenses associated with her surgery scheduled on February 9th, 2017 to attempt to remove the tumor. Mekena and family will have to pay their own expenses to fly out of province to an elite healthcare facility for an undetermined amount of time while Mekena recovers from the surgery. We have high hopes that this will be the end of treatment and Mekena can go on to live a life cancer-free.
An overview of the past 2 years shows how Mekena has undergone and accomplished so much more than any 5-year-old should:
- She lived in the hospital with mom for 5 months straight.
- 7 rounds of chemotherapy.
- Stem cell harvest and transplant.
- 20 sessions of radiation therapy.
- 8 surgeries on her central line.
- 5 rounds of immunotherapy.
- Numerous blood transfusions, scans, and tests.
- Turned 4 in the hospital but was able to celebrate her 5th birthday out of the hospital with tons of parties.
- Baked hundreds of cupcakes to fundraise over $5000 in support of pediatric cancer research.
- Mekena started kindergarten and mom returned to work part-time, yay!
Our goal is to reach $3000 to cover some expenses with the trip (flights, transportation, accommodations, meals, etc). Please help in any way that you can and keep Mekena in your thoughts.
*** ORIGINAL STORY (FEBRUARY, 2015):
Mekena Lily is our little diva with a big heart. She is a girly girl,
she is caring, she is silly, she is too cute for words and knows it!
On February 7, 2015 Mekena Lily, at 3 1/2 years old, was
admitted to the Children's hospital with a tummy ache where they found
an 11 cm malignant tumor on her kidney. She has since been diagnosed
with high-risk neuroblastoma. She has a long and trying journey ahead
of her, but we know she will pull through because she is so brave and
so very strong.
Here you can join us and follow her journey. Feel free to share
stories and photos! We are collecting donations to support the family
by easing the upcoming financial burden they will be faced with
through such a trying time.
Lots of love from Mekena and family. We appreciate you all and
everything you do for us.