Donation protected
I would say that Maddie is the typical 16 year old high school student, but she's not. She has the most beautiful smile, funny sense of humor and joyful personality! I can say I've never heard a mean word come out of her mouth. Unfortunately her life changed in an instant on Saturday, March 19, 2016.
Maddie had a headache that had lasted for almost 3 weeks, but when she woke up that Saturday morning, her headache was so bad that she was nauseated and was vomiting. Her mom took her to the emergency room where doctors ordered a CT scan. She was told she had a brain tumor and was flown by helicopter to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta / Scottish Rite. A few days later, on Tuesday, March 22, Maddie had brain surgery to remove a 1.5 cm tumor from the left side of her brain. Biopsies were taken of the tumor, and Maddie was told she had brain cancer. She will have to undergo radiation treatments 5 days a week for 6-8 weeks at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.
Maddie's cancer is a malignant form of cancer called Grade III anaplastic ependymoma. It is a rare cancer of the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. There are 50 to 55 cases per year in the United States in Maddie's age range (15 to 19). With radiation therapy, Maddie has a 70% chance that her tumor will NOT return within 5 years! However, research states that it is common for ependymoma to return -- even 15 or more years later. Maddie will have frequent MRIs of her brain for the rest of her life to follow-up and make sure her tumor does not return. In order to undergo treatment, Maddie and her parents will have to move to Houston, Texas for a couple of months.
As you can imagine over the months and years to come there will be so many added expenses for the Williams family. A number of people have already asked how they can help financially so we asked her family if it would be OK to set up this fund for them. They agreed. If you would please remember Maddie and her family in your prayers. Additionally, any financial donation would be greatly appreciated! With your prayers and support we can do our part to help Maddie and her family with her fight against cancer!
Maddie had a headache that had lasted for almost 3 weeks, but when she woke up that Saturday morning, her headache was so bad that she was nauseated and was vomiting. Her mom took her to the emergency room where doctors ordered a CT scan. She was told she had a brain tumor and was flown by helicopter to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta / Scottish Rite. A few days later, on Tuesday, March 22, Maddie had brain surgery to remove a 1.5 cm tumor from the left side of her brain. Biopsies were taken of the tumor, and Maddie was told she had brain cancer. She will have to undergo radiation treatments 5 days a week for 6-8 weeks at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.
Maddie's cancer is a malignant form of cancer called Grade III anaplastic ependymoma. It is a rare cancer of the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. There are 50 to 55 cases per year in the United States in Maddie's age range (15 to 19). With radiation therapy, Maddie has a 70% chance that her tumor will NOT return within 5 years! However, research states that it is common for ependymoma to return -- even 15 or more years later. Maddie will have frequent MRIs of her brain for the rest of her life to follow-up and make sure her tumor does not return. In order to undergo treatment, Maddie and her parents will have to move to Houston, Texas for a couple of months.
As you can imagine over the months and years to come there will be so many added expenses for the Williams family. A number of people have already asked how they can help financially so we asked her family if it would be OK to set up this fund for them. They agreed. If you would please remember Maddie and her family in your prayers. Additionally, any financial donation would be greatly appreciated! With your prayers and support we can do our part to help Maddie and her family with her fight against cancer!
Organizer and beneficiary
Holly Dempsey
Organizer
Gainesville, GA
Jennifer Williams
Beneficiary