Friday, September 29, 2006

A Little Girl Fights Cancer

Please pray for 8-year-old Ellie Skees who has a Stage IV cancer called Neuroblastoma:

Neuroblastoma: Neuroblastoma is a cancer of specialized nerve cells, called neural crest cells. These cells are involved in the development of the nervous system and other tissues. Neuroblastoma can occur anywhere in the body, but most often occurs in the adrenal gland in the abdomen (tummy).

Stage IV: Cancers are classified according to 3 characteristics: anatomic site, grading, and staging. Staging is the extent of the spread of the cancer. Stage IV: The cancer has spread (metastasized) beyond the regional lymph nodes to distant parts of the body.

Ellie is the daughter of my friend's friend in Orlando and a sweet little girl. She just turned 8 a couple days ago and will start intensive chemotherapy tomorrow.

Ellie celebrated her 8th birthday with family and a few friends during the day. She so much enjoys seeing her friends and being able to act like the little girl that she is. Her favorite part of the day, with the possible exception of the gifts, was giving her friends "rides" on her hospital bed. Her laugh was a reminder of easier days.
Ellie has a blog devoted to her progress and with specific requests for prayers from her family. Please take time out to keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers and they go through this tragic process together. It is truly heartbreaking to hear what they are going through.

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