Christine Shayna Thomas
May 12, 1997 - September 19, 2006
Written by Jennifer Lehmann
In 2002, I came across a beautiful little girl named Christi Thomas. She was 5 at the time and had just been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage IV. I don't remember how I find out, but my old elementary school was doing a candy cane fundraiser for her. The next day, I decided to walk over to the school and handed over a ten dollar bill. I had given to St. Jude many times - I thought it was just another donation. But I ventured through her website and became instantly attached to Christi and her family. Never did I imagine that she would become such a big part of my life.
However, she very much has. She fought so hard for so long with such strength and courage and has taught me many lessons along the way. She had such a spark and zest for life! I have cried and rejoiced with the Thomas Team as they tried desperately to save Christi's precious life. Christi endured chemotherapy (41 rounds:high doses and low doses), radiation (weeks of internal and external high dosages), surgeries (big and small), Accutane, antibodies (humanized and mouse) and other experimental trials. Sadly, her fight ended on September 19, 2006. I miss her terribly. I will never forget her super hugs, beautiful smile & endless jokes and songs (the SpongeBob "Camp Fire Song Song" especially - that was one fun car ride to Cedar Point!)
In 2002, I came across a beautiful little girl named Christi Thomas. She was 5 at the time and had just been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage IV. I don't remember how I find out, but my old elementary school was doing a candy cane fundraiser for her. The next day, I decided to walk over to the school and handed over a ten dollar bill. I had given to St. Jude many times - I thought it was just another donation. But I ventured through her website and became instantly attached to Christi and her family. Never did I imagine that she would become such a big part of my life.
However, she very much has. She fought so hard for so long with such strength and courage and has taught me many lessons along the way. She had such a spark and zest for life! I have cried and rejoiced with the Thomas Team as they tried desperately to save Christi's precious life. Christi endured chemotherapy (41 rounds:high doses and low doses), radiation (weeks of internal and external high dosages), surgeries (big and small), Accutane, antibodies (humanized and mouse) and other experimental trials. Sadly, her fight ended on September 19, 2006. I miss her terribly. I will never forget her super hugs, beautiful smile & endless jokes and songs (the SpongeBob "Camp Fire Song Song" especially - that was one fun car ride to Cedar Point!)
Christi was a member of Mensa - the High IQ Society, became a "pint sized hero" earning a Clara Barton award - the Red Cross' Highest Honor - for sponsoring so many blood drives, raised over $12,000 for pediatric cancer research through the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and inspired countless lives with her upbeat attitude of "I'm not sick, I just have cancer" as she brought smiles to other children at her hospital. We will never know just how many lives were changed because of Christi or how much has been done in her honor.
Christi is why Kids Cancer Crusade began. She has inspired me in so many ways....I will forever carry her in my heart.