This is Donna.
Donna had beautiful golden curls and a wide, infection smile.
Donna was named for her maternal grandmother who died of a brain tumor before she was born.
Donna was bright, sweet, and clever.
Donna was diagnosed with papillary meningioma on March 23, 2007.
And on Monday, October 19, 2009, as her parents slept by her side, Donna died.
Donna was four years old.
Four years like four percent – the amount of U.S. Federal funding dedicated to childhood cancer research.
Donna’s mom is a wonderful, colorful, gifted writer and for so many of us on the cancer journey, she quietly writes two words over and and over on our pictures and stories: Choosing Hope.
So today, as writers and bloggers band together on social media for – #DonnaDay – we choose hope for this family and all of our families.
Because this is one of the very real ways we can “chase the cancer away”.
For more on the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser honoring Donna, or to donate, click here.
For more on Donna’s story, told by her mom, click here.
Choosing hope once again . . . moment by moment.