Miracle for Kira - fighting cancer

KIRA BECAME THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ANGEL SURROUNDED BY HER LOVED ONES 15.11.17.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT - YOU HAVE HELPED PUT DIPG ON THE MAP AND THIS WILL HELP OTHER CHILDREN WITH THIS CRUEL DIAGNOSIS IN THE FUTURE.

This campaign is administered by the parents in Kira’s class here in Norway. This is why the currency is in Norwegian. 
KIRA’S STORY
After many years abroad, our family had just moved back home to Norway in the summer of 2016 when our lives were shattered by our daughter’s “terminal” diagnosis. Kira was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor called DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) just before her 8th birthday. After the national health care system gave up on her and she was close to passing on, she miraculously fought her way back to life. But with the tumor still there, we searched for the best available treatment. Based on extensive research and consultation, we believe that intra-arterial delivery of chemotherapy and immunotherapy holds the most promise for curing Kira’s cancer. We are currently preparing to go to Mexico for this costly treatment.
POST DIAGNOSIS 
Since DIPG has no known cure, palliative care was the only “treatment” offered to Kira. She completed 30 rounds of radiation while on chemotherapy. We were told the best thing we could do was to enjoy our time with our daughter while we sit and wait for a slow and agonizing end.
We were not prepared to give up, but before we could get her any other treatment, she started to decline quickly around Christmas 2016. We helplessly watched as she moved through the stages of progression that lead to death, such as losing the ability to walk, swallow, talk, see, and move.
She started having convulsions, and she finally almost lost her ability to breathe. The doctors told us she would be gone any day. They even wanted to stop giving her liquids and intravenous nutrition. We fought them.
Just when we thought she was gone, she somewhat miraculously started to slowly improve, and she is now strong enough that we feel we have been given a second chance at hope through treatment abroad.
HOPE FOR KIRA
A new treatment approach in Mexico using intra-arterial delivery of a combination of the latest chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents has shown a lot of promise for DIPG children, and Kira has been accepted into the program. This treatment avoids the toxic systemic side-effects of chemotherapy, as it is delivered directly to the site of the tumor.
The treatment costs ~$20,000 (USD) per infusion, and Kira needs infusions every 3 weeks for about a year. In order to cover the cost of treatment, as well as travel costs to Mexico, lodging, and other health care expenses should complications arise, in addition not being able to keep our regular jobs, we are humbly asking for support by donations.
Throughout her sickness, Kira has expressed only love and gratitude to everyone around her. While I wish more than anything she did not have to have such incredible strength, she has shown an overwhelming capacity for love and tenacity, and she deserves a chance at life. We plan to leave as soon as possible, so we urgently need funds.
Please join us in helping to give Kira a chance for hope and life. No donation is too small.
We also welcome donations of air miles, as we have a lot of travel ahead of us. And please share as much as possible! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
                               #miracleforkira
(This campaign is administered by the parents in Kira’s class.) 

                                   #miracleforkira

DIPG BASICS
DIPG is a rare, aggressive brain tumor that occurs almost exclusively in children and accounts for about 10-15% of all pediatric brain tumors.
Because of its location in the brainstem, the tumor affects the body’s critical functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Children with DIPG develop vision problems, trouble swallowing and speaking, reduced eye movement, facial weakness, balance problems, and limb weakness. During all of this, the child is fully aware of his or her body; other brain function and pain sensation remain intact. The child is virtually trapped--fully aware--in a failing body. Over time, the tumor interferes with breathing and heart rate, which ultimately lead to death. DIPG is inoperable due to its diffuse nature, and the survival rate is less than 1%. However, several clinical trials and experimental treatments hold hope for children with DIPG.

KIRA'S DEPARTURE TO MEXICO - 30.04.17

KIRA IN MIAMI EATING STRAWBERRIES - 01.05.17
POOLSIDE IN MIAMI BEFORE DEPARTURE TO MEXICO - 01.05.17
KIRA WITH DR. SILLER IN MEXICO - 03.05.17
KIRA AFTER FIRST INFUSION - 05.05.17
BOOTCAMP FOR KIRA - FUNDRAISNING EVENT, 152 PEOPLE JUMPED FOR KIRA AT ASKER TRENINGSSENTER - ASKER 06.05.17

KIRA & MUM JENI, KIRA IS RESPONDING - 07.05.17

THROUGH THE PAST WEEK KIRA'S FRIENDS HAVE BEEN SETTING UP KIRA KIOSK - TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR FRIEND - MAY 2017
KIRA LEAVES THE HOSPITAL AND STAYS IN HER NEW 'HOME' IN MONTERREY  UNTIL HER NEXT INFUSION - 09.05.17
AND MEANWHILE BACK IN ASKER; SUPERSELMA TURNS UP WITH A NEW TRAMPOLINE AND LOTS OF GOODIES FOR AUGUST & JASPER - 09.05.17
KIRA IN GOOD SHAPE IN MEXICO - 11.05.17
KIRA TUCKED IN FOR THE NIGHT - 12.05.17
CHILLTIME ON THE TERRACE - 14.05.17
GREAT WITH VISIT AND SUPPORT  FROM KIM - 18.05.17
KIRA WAITING FOR HER 2ND INFUSION - PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS STRONG LITTLE GIRL TODAY - 19.05.17
BRAVE KIRA AFTER HER 2ND INFUSION, CUDDLING WITH MUMMY - 20.05.17
KIDS YOGA FOR KIRA AT ELIXIA ASKER - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! 21.05.17
KIRA GETS TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL TODAY, RESTING UP FOR THE NEXT INFUSION - 21.05.17
KIRA ENJOYING HER FAVORITE CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES - YUMMY! - 24.05.17
KONSERT FOR KIRA, ASKER KIRKE - 30.05.17

KIRA IS REUNITED WITH PAPPA IN MEXICO - 31.05.17
KIRA LOOKING SO MUCH BETTER AFTER HER THIRD TREATMENT IN MEXICO - 06.06.17
TODAY KIRA'S CLASS PLAYED FOOTBALL AT LIUNGEN CUP AND WE SOLD 330 SPINNERS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HER NEXT TREATMENT! - 10.06.17
KIRA IS ENJOYING FILMS AGAIN AND HAS A DOLL THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE HER! - 10.06.17
ASKER DAYS, WE ARE SELLING SPINNERS AND BRACELETS AT KIRA'S KÅRNER - 17.06.17
A MILESTONE TODAY AS KIRA IS OFF THE MORPHINE PUMP - 19.06.17
TREATMENT NO. 4 TODAY AND KIRA IS READY! - 22.06.17
SINCE THE FEEDING TUBE HAS COME OUT, KIRA IS ENJOYING FOOD AGAIN AND CELEBRATING PAPPA'S BIRTHDAY - 13.08.17
FINALLY READY FOR IMMUNE THERAPY, HAVING A LOW DOSE CHEMO FIRST - 17.08.17
KIRA'S KÅRNER AT THE HVALSTRAND MUSIC FESTIVAL - 26.08.17
KIRA ENJOYING A TRIP TO THE PLAYPARK - 29.08.17
WE HAVE HAD A DESIGN COMPETITION WITH NOROFF STUDENTS FOR THE POSTER FOR KIRA FIERCE CONCERT - 01.09.17
AND THE WINNER IS.......

KIRA HAD A TURN FOR THE WORSE BUT FIGHTING LIKE A WARRIOR PRINCESS - PLEASE DONATE SO KIRA CAN CONTINUE HER LIFESAVING TREATMENTS IN MEXICO - 08.11.17

OUR FIERCE, STRONG KIRA ARRIVED SAFELY BACK HOME IN NORWAY THIS WEEK. SHE IS SURROUNDED WITH FAMILIY AND THOSE WHO LOVE HER - 15.11.17
This is from Kira's Mama, Jennifer Brown:
Dear Kira Fierce supporters, I am overdue for an update. When we met with the doctors, they explained that Kira’s tumor had spread to the ventricles, possibly due to the bleeding, and that they did not recommend further treatment for Kira’s well being. We decided to travel back to Norway asap and arrived yesterday afternoon. While we were landing in Oslo, Kira had some kind of complication, possibly another bleeding, and we stopped atthe hospital on our way home. We are now at home and Kira is peacefully sleeping at the moment in our bed, where this group began 10 months ago. This all happened so suddenly and is all very difficult to digest, of course. Even now, it seems I am incapable of giving up hope, especially after all the times Kira has surprised us. I am in denial.

These 6 months with her in Mexico have been priceless and we are so very grateful to everyone who helped to get Kira the treatment that facilitated the amazing time and hope we had in Mexico.

Please send the most potent love and prayers for Kira and all of us.