Hallies Fight Is Our Fight!

Just a few days before Hallie's first birthday her parents noticed a rather large lump on her lower back. They took her into her primary doctor the next day, who referred her to Iowa City.  Two days later they headed to Iowa City for an MRI which showed a tumor, a biopsy was needed to determine  if it was malignant. The biopsy was completed on June 27th which is when they received the news that the tumor was indeed malignant. On July 1st, Hallie was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Hallie has since been receiving care at Mayo in Rochester to be closer to her family.  After more tests including a PET CT scan to see if the cancer has spread, her neurosurgeon stated that he felt comfortable removing the tumor. A few weeks and a few more tests later and Hallie's diagnosis was changed to Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a more aggressive form, which will require a more aggressive treatment. This new diagnosis meant that surgery could not be completed as quickly and she will now need to receive chemotherapy and radiation. Hallie's battle is just getting started, the day of surgery she will also be giving a bone marrow sample to make sure the cancer has not spread to her bone marrow. Hallie's parents will be commuting between their home and the hospital often for treatment while still raising their three other young children. Any donation would be helpful to cover travel, food, and medical expenses while they support Hallie in her fight!