Rare but There: Continuing a Legacy

On Thanksgiving, November 24 2011, at the age of 25, my friend Allyson Strong lost her battle with Small Cell Cervical Cancer. Those of you who got the chance to meet and know Allyson can attest that they knew an angel who was here on Earth. A constant ray of sunshine, Ally was one of the strongest, most courageous people I\'ve ever met. She was truly an amazing friend. After being diagnosed, Ally became very vocal in raising awareness of this deadly illness. She spearheaded many fundraising efforts not only for her own treatment but for the research of this disease in the hopes that a cure is soon found. Small Cell Cervical cancer is a rare and aggressive carcinoma that spreads very quickly and can be very lethal. This is not a typical cervical cancer "“ small cell is usually found in lung cancer. This cancer affects young adult women suddenly and with no cause that is known. Due to its rarity, there are no clinical trials that can be done for SCCC, nor does the National Cancer Institute give any funds towards its research. This project is a grassroots effort started by the women themselves inflicted with this disease and their loved ones to find a proper protocol. In honoring Ally's legacy, I have set a fundraising goal for $3,100 dollars "“ or $100 per day "“ for the month of December. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. All funds will be donated to the Small Cell Cervical Cancer research fund at MD Anderson Cancer Center "“ which is exactly where all of the money Ally herself raised went. $150,000 is needed to start the effort and the group is already over a third of the way there. THANK YOU!