Saturday =’ed Extra Special

This past Saturday I spent the day doing something that will stick in my mind for a long time to come. I went to a small elementary school on the outskirts of Cumming, Georgia to support a very special little girl.

Why is she so special? Well, let me tell you why.

She is my neice and she has an extremely rare form of cancer. This cancer is rare in more than one way… She has Ewings Sarcoma.

Click on images to enlarge.

The facts about Ewings per Wikipedia:

*Incidence rate averages less than 2 cases per 1,000,000 children
*Affects mostly male children between the ages of 10-15
*Is mostly a bone disease
*Occurs most often in the pelvis or long bone areas of the body.

Ewing’s sarcoma is more common in males and usually presents in childhood or early adulthood, with a peak between 10 and 20 years of age. It is found almost exclusively in caucasians. It can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the pelvis and proximal long tubular bones. The diaphysis of the femur are the most common sites, followed by the tibia and the humerus. Thirty percent are overtly metastatic at presentation.

The most common clinical findings are pain and swelling.

Now, as you read before this event was for a little girl. She is 9 years old and the cancer has manifested itself in her sinus cavity. This is why this case is rarer than most. The doctors think she has had this cancer since birth. It almost sufficated her before it was discovered. She is taking hard core radiation treatments in an attempt to stop it. She has lost all her hair and has to spend more time at the hospital than at home. She has to wear a trach in case she suddenly can’t breathe. She has tubes for the radiation treatments.

Has she let it get her down? None-what-so-ever!!! She goes to school when she can and is a very spunky little girl!

Yesterday her school held a “Run for Raven” event to help out her and her family. They had a 3k run (3.5 laps around the school). There were specially designed T-Shirts for the event with the proceeds going to her fund.

There was a silent auction for about 30 items with one going for over 200.00!! There was also about 30 raffles that brought in a good chunk of cash.

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She designed her own candle (Craven Raven) at Juls Candle Shop. She calls it a “Pumpkin Latte”. It is a mixture of brownie and pumpkin spice and it is purple (her favorite color). The candles were a huge hit with 50% of the sales going to Raven’s fund.

A local fast food burger shop was there as well with 50% of the 8.00 plate as a donation. They also had a moonwalk with a donation bucket outside. We still don’t have a final count but I know they raised several thousand from the amount of people that walked and ran. I know personally of one company, that a family member works for, that donated 1,000.00 just because she and her plight touched their heart. Raven’s smile and spunk can do that to you.

Click on images to enlarge.

Raven and her family have lost their home due to the amount of time spent at the childrens hospital. They are now staying with my neice. Raven’s grandmother is driving up in an RV two weeks out of the month to help with the care of Raven. Her brother is not yet in daycare and he needs watching as well. Work is sporadic for her parents as well. They are young and struggling as it is without Raven’s illness.

Despite the days excitement, Raven still had plenty enough energy for us to take her to see the Happy Feet movie after the run. She is such a special little girl and her smile is very catching.

If you would like to donate to Raven’s fund you can do so by contacting me personally and I will give you the bank and fund name. Please add them to your prayers. Raven needs as much support as she can get.

Thank you.

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I am sorry this is so late in coming… I was very busy at work and my internet has been sporadic today. I want to thank each and every one of you that took the time out of their day to send up their prayers. Raven has brought me a new outlook on life. Her smile and bravery at this junction of her life, under the most dire of circumstances, makes everything else small beans in the pot.

To Karen, Vickie and most especially Monica: Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for caring and spreading the word on Raven. You are the bestest of people in my book.