Gina's "Story of Hope"

I wanted to share Gina's story....

I'll begin with the picture that I have in my bedroom.  It says,"To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you are the world."

I think of Gina and how she is my entire world.  When I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with my daughter Allison, I received the most devastating news of my life.  My two and a half year old daughter, Gina, was diagnosed with Leukemia.  

My first thought was "Oh My God, She's going to die."  I knew nothing about leukemia treatment and never knew anyone who ever had it.  After talking with the doctors, I was assured that Gina's leukemia was treatable with a good prognosis.  For more than 2 years, Gina was given many different chemotherapy drugs including oral chemo pills almost every night, chemo shots in her legs, chemo shots many times into her spine and given chemo through her mediport. 

Everyday is a struggle when you hear that there are sometimes children who relapse.  It's like living a horrible nightmare that will never go away.  We have been so fortunate that Gina tolerated the chemo and has been cancer free for nearly 9 months.  She is very strong.  I am fortunate to have lots of support and a loving family that supports me while paying it forward in helping other families and local related cancer charities.  July 21, 2012 will be our third annual bone marrow and blood drive fundraiser at the Plainview Reformed Church which gets new individuals on the registry for bone marrow and where people can donate blood.  We really do pay it forwars to others.  Thank you for allowing me to share my story

Story by: Katie M