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Erika Gunn Funeral/Brain Tumor Research

I have known Erika as a student of mine over the past several years.  I served as her middle school principal and retired after she went on to the high school.  This past fall a teacher informed me that Erika was very sick and in our first conversation since her illness she said, "Mrs. Williams can you BELIEVE I have cancer?!"  So began our journey as she battled for her life.  She was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor that had spread in her brain and spine.  The medical care from Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL was incredible but unfortunately, she did not make it and passed away on June 28, 2014.
     Erika was the oldest of eight siblings.  She was 17 at the time of her death and wanted so much to live life.  Over the past year, she has battled not only her cancer but also had to deal with the break-up of her entire family.  All her siblings were placed with family members or friends and while she was sick and fighting for her life she could not be with her brother and sisters.  I would like to honor Erika by raising money for her funeral expenses:  the  plot, casket, tombstone, purple dress, purple flowers, etc.  Any money remaining will be donated to the research that her doctor is conducting to battle brain tumors in children.
     Her doctor, Dr. Gregory Friedman an peidiatric oncologist with Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL, just recently won a grant to develop a genetically altered viruses that would fight cancer cells and not brain cells in children.  He has had successful trials in adults and would like to bring the clinical trials to children.  Please help me honor Erika's life and help me raise money for Dr. friedman's research.   Thank you for your support.
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Donations 

  • Shannon Cox
    • $100 
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Mo Gantt Williams
Organizer

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