Tribute | Death of a Child | Cancer

Angel Feather

A twittle for Josie

A downy feather floats to heaven pure white and light as snow with it goes a sweet little girl an angel on a forever rainbow © Carolyn Hastings 2023

Dedicated to my great-great niece, Josie, who died yesterday (Jan 15, 2023), aged 2 years 7 months. A little girl who brought love and light to her family and blessed everyone with the cutest, dimpled smile anyone could possibly imagine or ever wish for.

Josie was diagnosed, in February last year, with high-risk neuroblastoma, an extremely aggressive form of childhood cancer. Despite radical medical intervention including an experimental chemotherapy trial, the primary tumor metastasized into her bones and lungs. She died peacefully in her sleep beside her parents. She leaves an older sister and many broken hearts.

Neuroblastoma

Of all the cancers that afflict humans, childhood cancers are often the worst and always the cruelest. In the case of neuroblastoma, advances in medical research have provided improved treatment options and outcomes, yet it remains one of the most challenging cancers to manage. High-risk neuroblastoma, like the one Josie had, has a less than 50 percent/5-year survival rate. Sadly, half of all neuroblastoma diagnoses are classed as high-risk.

Medical research for neuroblastoma therapies that improve survival rates and quality of life for children and their families is an ongoing priority requiring the multidisciplinary collaboration of scientists and researchers from around the world. It takes time, dedication, and innovation. And lots of resources — humans, technologies, and finances.

Neuroblastoma research is costly. Very costly.

Cancer Research Funding — How You Can Help

Funding cancer research was a key motivation for Denise Larkin when she published Butterfly Dance: Passion Poetry, an anthology of poems written by writers of The Lark publication here on Medium. I was fortunate enough to have my poem selected for the anthology. It is an honor to be part of such a worthwhile project with sales of the book going directly to fund cancer research, including childhood cancers like neuroblastoma.

You can be part of the fund-raising project too by purchasing a copy of the book and/or making a donation. This page explains how you can get involved —

Butterfly Dance Passionate Poetry Book Facebook Page

Sometimes it’s hard to see the rainbow when there’s been endless days of rain Christina Greer

Thank you all for reading. Thank you for helping. 🙏 💕

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