When my niece Verbena O'Brien was 1-year old, she was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, an extremely rare form of cancer in her right eye. It had been there since birth and her family was lucky to catch it when they did. If left untreated it would be life-threatening, and the treatment for it has involved multiple surgeries, MRI's, Chemotherapy, laser treatment and ongoing exams under anesthesia. She immediately started undergoing treatment and has been battling the tumor ever since. It has been a tremendous ordeal for little Verbena and her family.

There are no doctors in Austin who could give her the treatment she needs, so her family travels to Houston almost once a month. Each time it is an overnight stay and a trip to the Children's Surgery Center at Memorial Herman hospital in Houston. She has been put under anesthesia nearly 20 times now (all before the age of 3). We can't thank her doctors and nurses enough, they have been amazing to her.

After the first year of treatment and her tumor under control, she suffered a relapse just before Christmas 2023. She continues to undergo laser treatments to keep the tumor from growing further and we are hopeful she doesn't have to go through chemo again. Treatment must remain aggressive until age 5, at which point the tumor should cease growing and stabilize. She will always be slightly blind in her right eye, but luckily she has been able to keep her eye.

We are asking for your help to support her medical expenses, which are incredibly high. Last year in 2023 insurance paid out over half a million dollars, so you can imagine the out-of-pocket expenses for my brother and his wife are substantial. We are looking for donations to help offset all the medical bills as well as the constant traveling needed throughout the year. Together with your help we are going to beat this cancer!

Through it all Verbena has been so strong. She is so happy all the time, always smiling, and getting through something tougher than any of us have ever done. We sometimes can't believe all she has been through in her 2+ years of life. Through all this we are still watching her grow up, and she is the most fun, lovable, happy, wonderful little person you could ever imagine. It is so easy to make her laugh. Every day we love her more and more.

To all who donated to our first fundraiser in 2022, thank you for your generosity.