Stand with Derreon Keng to Fight Cancer
Donation protected
Stand with Derreon Keng
Derreon keng, an intelligent, boisterous and extremely adventurous go-loving kid was born on May 17, 2012. As the newest member of our family, her arrival was met with great joy by her older sister Davelyn and her mother Evelyne who felt this little princess completed her life. True to our family hopes, Derreon keeps very active and enjoys fun loving activities, taking keen interest in soccer ,swimming and sprinting.
After a minor fall while playing on September 19, 2018, Derreon complained of stomach ache. As the pain rapidly got unbearable, she was taken to her pediatrician, who then quickly had her rushed to the emergency room at the Novant Hospital in Haymarket VA. Upon arrival, the doctors immediately realized her condition was a lot more serious than previously thought. She was deemed critical and was therefore quickly airlifted to INOVA Children's hospital in Fairfax VA for specialist intervention.
After spending several daunting hours at the E.R, the Doctors finally broke the heartbreaking news to us; she had stage 3 Cancer. They had discovered a large cancerous tumor covering approximately 75% of her left kidney. Derreon’s fall resulted in the rupture of this tumor, leading to severe internal bleeding and excruciating pain to this little 6-year-old girl.
For four days, Derreon received specialist care that mostly involved getting internal bleeding under control. After 7 days in ICU and a biopsy, her doctors had a better insight to what specific cancer she had: Wilms’ Tumor. Wilms’ tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Due to the advanced nature of Derreon’s cancer, an aggressive treatment approach was recommended. After 6 weeks of treatment that included chemotherapy, blood transfusion and strong dose medication, the tumor had shrunk enough in size to be removed surgically. The surgery lasted 9 hours but, in the end, the tumor,organs affected and all scared tissue around had been successfully removed.
The joy of a successful surgery was short lived since we knew that post surgery treatment usually takes a greater toll on Cancer patients then pre-treatment. Derreon had a 40 weeks treatment plan and the surgery was just at week 8. Due to the spill of cancerous cells into her guts during the rupture, radiation therapy and another bout of aggressive chemotherapy treatment began soon after surgery.
So far, Derreon has been strong and brave but like anyone else in her shoes, the disease has taken its toll. Typical side effects of cancer treatment such as blood, hair, weight and appetite loss were all too apparent. The severe pain she is in though is the worse side effect as it not only affects her but everyone around who loves and cares for her. After losing 16lbs, Derreon now weighs 21lbs and is being fed with a tube as sour gums and difficulty in swallowing wouldn’t allow mouth feeding as an option.
This sad circumstance arises at a very bad time for Derreon's family in general and Derreon's mother Evelyne in particular. Evelyne, a single mother of 15 year old Davelyn and 6 year old Derreon, is a sole proprietor business owner. Her business has been her only source of income for the past 15 years plus, as she personally works and manages it. With this unfortunate situation, she has been forced to shutdown her business to dedicate her time trying to be by her daughter's side as she fights for her life. To make matters worse, Evelyne just lost her kid brother, Edwin, in summer of 2018, and Evelyne and her 2 daughters had to make the painstaking and highly financially demanding trip to bury their brother/uncle, back in the village in Cameroon, Africa. 2 weeks upon their return, Derreon was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Edwin had also been a source of financial support to Evelyne as they had worked together and the only father figure Derreon and Davelyne ever knew.
Derreon is a true hero, a resilient and resolute fighter engaged in the toughest fight of her life. She has a strong desire to overcome this disease but cannot do it own her own. She truly needs us for moral, emotional, spiritual and financial support to help pay her very high medical and personal family expenses. With no income coming in and 2 children to take care of, Evelyne finds herself in a very tight position financially. We are humbly pleading for your kind and generous pledges/donations to help her during this tough time. Any contribution will go a long way as we stand by our little princess Derreon Keng. May the good lord replenish your generosity tenfold as we thank you in advance for your kindness.
Derreon keng, an intelligent, boisterous and extremely adventurous go-loving kid was born on May 17, 2012. As the newest member of our family, her arrival was met with great joy by her older sister Davelyn and her mother Evelyne who felt this little princess completed her life. True to our family hopes, Derreon keeps very active and enjoys fun loving activities, taking keen interest in soccer ,swimming and sprinting.
After a minor fall while playing on September 19, 2018, Derreon complained of stomach ache. As the pain rapidly got unbearable, she was taken to her pediatrician, who then quickly had her rushed to the emergency room at the Novant Hospital in Haymarket VA. Upon arrival, the doctors immediately realized her condition was a lot more serious than previously thought. She was deemed critical and was therefore quickly airlifted to INOVA Children's hospital in Fairfax VA for specialist intervention.
After spending several daunting hours at the E.R, the Doctors finally broke the heartbreaking news to us; she had stage 3 Cancer. They had discovered a large cancerous tumor covering approximately 75% of her left kidney. Derreon’s fall resulted in the rupture of this tumor, leading to severe internal bleeding and excruciating pain to this little 6-year-old girl.
For four days, Derreon received specialist care that mostly involved getting internal bleeding under control. After 7 days in ICU and a biopsy, her doctors had a better insight to what specific cancer she had: Wilms’ Tumor. Wilms’ tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Due to the advanced nature of Derreon’s cancer, an aggressive treatment approach was recommended. After 6 weeks of treatment that included chemotherapy, blood transfusion and strong dose medication, the tumor had shrunk enough in size to be removed surgically. The surgery lasted 9 hours but, in the end, the tumor,organs affected and all scared tissue around had been successfully removed.
The joy of a successful surgery was short lived since we knew that post surgery treatment usually takes a greater toll on Cancer patients then pre-treatment. Derreon had a 40 weeks treatment plan and the surgery was just at week 8. Due to the spill of cancerous cells into her guts during the rupture, radiation therapy and another bout of aggressive chemotherapy treatment began soon after surgery.
So far, Derreon has been strong and brave but like anyone else in her shoes, the disease has taken its toll. Typical side effects of cancer treatment such as blood, hair, weight and appetite loss were all too apparent. The severe pain she is in though is the worse side effect as it not only affects her but everyone around who loves and cares for her. After losing 16lbs, Derreon now weighs 21lbs and is being fed with a tube as sour gums and difficulty in swallowing wouldn’t allow mouth feeding as an option.
This sad circumstance arises at a very bad time for Derreon's family in general and Derreon's mother Evelyne in particular. Evelyne, a single mother of 15 year old Davelyn and 6 year old Derreon, is a sole proprietor business owner. Her business has been her only source of income for the past 15 years plus, as she personally works and manages it. With this unfortunate situation, she has been forced to shutdown her business to dedicate her time trying to be by her daughter's side as she fights for her life. To make matters worse, Evelyne just lost her kid brother, Edwin, in summer of 2018, and Evelyne and her 2 daughters had to make the painstaking and highly financially demanding trip to bury their brother/uncle, back in the village in Cameroon, Africa. 2 weeks upon their return, Derreon was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Edwin had also been a source of financial support to Evelyne as they had worked together and the only father figure Derreon and Davelyne ever knew.
Derreon is a true hero, a resilient and resolute fighter engaged in the toughest fight of her life. She has a strong desire to overcome this disease but cannot do it own her own. She truly needs us for moral, emotional, spiritual and financial support to help pay her very high medical and personal family expenses. With no income coming in and 2 children to take care of, Evelyne finds herself in a very tight position financially. We are humbly pleading for your kind and generous pledges/donations to help her during this tough time. Any contribution will go a long way as we stand by our little princess Derreon Keng. May the good lord replenish your generosity tenfold as we thank you in advance for your kindness.
Organizer and beneficiary
Chantal A
Organizer
Gainesville, VA
Mami Ku Sama
Beneficiary
