In days since Francesca's death we've gone through a lot of emotions. I've finally been able to watch videos and photos of her from before treatment began. I still cry at them, but it's a different kind of emotion. Watching her silly moments have made me laugh again.
I still can feel that just total immersion of love when holding her and it would be the only thing that would help her sleep. The rambunctious kicks she would do on her mat in the living room. The smiles she constantly had on her face, even when going through treatment.
More than $450,000 has been raised since her death to support her team in the Pan Mass Challenge Winter Cycle charity event. And that money is going directly to a fund to cure ATRT at Dana Farber, whose doctors treated Francesca.
profile.wintercycle.org/DP0276
profile.wintercycle.org/DP0276
Much of the money to fund ATRT research is from private donations and foundations, given it is such a rare form of cancer that is mostly only seen in children under three.
The brutal treatments took such a toll of Francesca, and it pains me how much she had to suffer.
The brutal treatments took such a toll of Francesca, and it pains me how much she had to suffer.
But I'm hopeful with more money for research, we can work to find less tough treatments for kids with ATRT and save other kids and families from the anguish we and some many families have had to and are still going through.
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