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    Cookies for Kids' Cancer
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    Cookies for Kids' Cancer
    • About Us
      • What We Do
      • Our Story
      • Staff & Board
      • Medical Advisory & Partner Centers
      • Corporate Supporters
      • Press
      • Blog
      • Contact Us
    • Our Impact
      • Our Impact
      • Grants Funded
      • Video Gallery
      • Our Finanicals
    • Get Involved
      • Ways to Get Involved
      • Start a Fundraiser
      • Special Events
      • Corporate Engagement
      • Run or Bike with Us
      • Donations & Gifts
      • Contact Us
    • Resources
      • For Childhood Cancer Families
      • Childhood Cancer Facts
      • Contact Us
    • Get Cookies
      • Classic Cookie Flavors
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    Ali

    Ali

    Deep down, I understand why God wanted Ali back. I know that I want her back every single day, because the world is a lot less bright without her. Ali was infectious, not in a loud, raucous way—but in a kind, funny, happy-go-lucky, quirky way. You just wanted to be around her. We were living in a happy bubble, when our world came crashing down.

    Ali had just turned 15, and a lump on her arm, previously thought by everyone including our doctor to be nothing, had grown quite large. Even after the MRI, we were sure it was nothing… but when they mentioned biopsy, my heart began to sink. Our worst fears were confirmed six days before Christmas 2002. Cancer. Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma to be exact.

    Two days later, we were on a plane to Mayo Clinic, where there were bone scans, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, blood work…and on and on. Then the meeting with the doctors where we learned her hair would fall out, she probably would never have children and oh yes, there was one girl who made it all the way through college… one girl. That is how she phrased it. Ali and I just looked at one another and didn't say anything.

    The next two years were filled with highs and lows; optimism and utter devastation. It's hard to understand unless you've been through it, but they were also filled with inexplicable joy, spontaneity and an acute understanding of the meaning of life. Two years later, almost to the day, of when our journey first began, Ali started to develop numbness in her jaw and her bones were very achy.

    For the first time, she cried from the pain, and I knew she must be really hurting. We returned to Chicago for the last round of tests before a stem cell transplant, but the news was not good. The cancer had spread through her bone marrow and this time, we truly had no hope for a cure. Two months later, her brave battle ended and my biggest battle—living without her, began. I could have written a book on her attributes, but on her headstone, I chose these four words: beauty, strength, humor, grace. That was and will always be, our precious Ali.

    Thirteen thousand children will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Thirteen thousand new families will have their lives turned upside down and their greatest fears realized. I don't want people to feel guilty-- I want them to feel grateful. Grateful, aware and generous, so that we can stop this thing.

    More Tough Cookies

    VIEW ALL Tough Cookies
    • Drew

      Drew

    • Dylan

      Dylan

    • Dylan

      Dylan

    • Easton

      Easton

    • Elexis

      Elexis

    • Eli

      Eli

    • Emberlee

      Emberlee

    • Emma

      Emma

    • Emma

      Emma

    • Emma Rae

      Emma Rae

    • Ethan

      Ethan

    • Gabriella

      Gabriella

    • Gia

      Gia

    • Gina

      Gina

    • Grace

      Grace

    • Grier

      Grier

    • Gustavo-Alexis

      Gustavo-Alexis

    • Haldora

      Haldora

    • Hannah

      Hannah

    • Harlan

      Harlan

    • Isaac

      Isaac

    • Iyanna

      Iyanna

    • Jake

      Jake

    • Joey

      Joey

    • John

      John

    • Jonah

      Jonah

    • Kallie

      Kallie

    • Kameron

      Kameron

    • Kenzie

      Kenzie

    • Kieran

      Kieran

    • Kyle

      Kyle

    • Liam

      Liam

    • Lincoln

      Lincoln

    • Lola

      Lola

    • Lucy

      Lucy

    • Marnie

      Marnie

    • Max

      Max

    • Mila

      Mila

    • Mira

      Mira

    • Molly

      Molly

    • Morgan

      Morgan

    • Nick

      Nick

    • Noah

      Noah

    • Nolan

      Nolan

    • Pierce

      Pierce

    • Riley

      Riley

    • Ryan

      Ryan

    • Taylor

      Taylor

    • Terri

      Terri

    • Walker

      Walker

    Cookies for Kids' Cancer

    Cookies for Kids’ Cancer™ is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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    Califon, NJ 07830

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