This afternoon I was honored to spend the day at Michael Brook's Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Omaha.
With Michael and his sister.
Michael Brooks is an 11 year old boy who was diagonosed with Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tummor, or IMT. He has been battling this tumor since August 2008. This is a very rare tumor. Only 5 other children in the US have this type of tumor. Michael has undergone multiple tests an has had 28 weeks of chemo. IMT does not usually respond to chemo or radiation so his hope is in a clinical trial at the University of Minnesota. On a monthly basis, his mom and him travel to get medicine, labs, tests and scans.
Since he started the trial in October 2009, the tumor has shrunk 30%! With the continued success of this clinical trail, the next option will be surgery to remove the tumor at Sloan- Kettering in NY with months of physical therapy after that.
As a single parent, his mother Kathy is overwhelmed with Michael's medical bills. The Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle today was put on to help defer some expenses that have been incurred and are adding up. Monetary Donations can be made payable to Pinnacle Bank/ Michael Brooks Medical Fund and sent to c/o Francie Conrad- 3315 South 184th Terrace- Omaha, NE 68130.
With some of Michael's classmates and friends.
When Michael grows up he wants to play professional soccer or be an engineer or doctor like Dr. Dan Coulter, Pediatric Hematology/ Oncologist, who has helped him with his treatments. That way he can help other kids like him. His best subject in school is math and he likes to play soccer and go fishing.
It was a great afternoon, and also Michael's birthday! Lots of money was raised to help this outstanding young man, but more will always be needed. Continued prayers go out to this amazing family for a miracle recovery!
Yours truly,
Belinda Wright
No comments:
Post a Comment