Holly Needs Urgent Support
Hi my name is Holly O' Keeffe, I'm only 20 months old. In March 2009 I was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma which made me very sick. I am currently receiving treatment so I can get better.
My Daddy and Mammy's friends are organizing fundraising events so I can keep getting the treatment I need to get better and if you can donate, even if its only a small donation, it would be greatly appreciated.
I have a lot of information about this rare condition on the website so you can see what I'm up against. I hope you sign my guestbook and let me know you're thinking of me.
About Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system -- a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Each year there are about 700 new cases in the United States and about 12 to 14 cases in Ireland. It is usually found in young children, and is the most common cancer among infants. These solid tumors -- which take the form of a lump or mass -- may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or, most commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow.
The cause of neuroblastoma is unknown, but most physicians believe that it is an accidental growth that occurs during normal development of the sympathetic nervous system.
Treatment for neuroblastoma differs depending on many factors, particularly the stage of the disease and the age of the patient. Neuroblastomas that have recurred, or come back, may require different types of medicine. The main goal of our neuroblastoma program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is to minimize the use of the most toxic forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, and to maximize the use of immunotherapy -- a form of treatment that is designed to destroy neuroblastoma cells by strengthening the patient's own immune system.
Treatment
Neuroblastomas exhibit a variety of different behaviors. Some will go away without any treatment, and others can be cured by surgery alone. But approximately half of all neuroblastomas have already spread to the bone and bone marrow by the time they are found, and these tumors require more complex treatment. The best treatment for a particular child depends mainly on the child's age and the stage of the tumor. The location of the primary tumor and where it has spread will also be taken into consideration. Treatment will also vary depending on whether the patient is being treated for the first time or for relapse.
How Can I help
To sign up and Jump for Holly please call us on 1850 940 222.
Visit Holly's dedicted website for lots more details of Holly's condition and updates with her treatment: www.thehollyfund.com
