A 7 year old's incredible legacy

Got this from reader Kay, and knew you’d want to know about it:

You might remember her as the little girl with no hair — but with a huge smile — who asked the Washington Redskins’ Jason Taylor to dance during one of St. Jude’s “Thanks and Giving” commercials last fall.

That was Catie O’Brien, 7, then a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where she was undergoing treatment for a rare type of pediatric cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor. After her diagnosis last June, Catie spent most of the latter half of 2008 in the hospital’s care. She returned home to Mechanicsburg, Pa., in December after doctors discovered her tumor was back, despite aggressive radiation, chemotherapy and stem-cell recovery treatments.

Catie died Jan. 25, surrounded by family, including parents Kevin and Christine and five siblings, all members of St. Joseph Parish in Mechanicsburg. The last two months of her life were jam-packed with holiday celebrations and a family trip to the waters in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, made possible by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The little girl’s dying wish, according to Kevin, was for her friends and family to raise enough money to cover all of the operating costs for St. Jude Hospital for one day a year in her name, preferably her April 23 birthday.

“That was her wish,” Kevin said. “After she had found out that her tumor had come back, she wanted to leave a legacy.”

As of last week, Kevin reported that donors had already contributed $930,000 toward her first $1.4 million birthday present.

How’s that for humbling? Talk about generosity of spirit! A kid who understands that God is never outdone in generosity!

According to St. Jude Hospital, the nearly $1.4 million daily operating cost covers expenses related to patient care, research, education and supporting services.

“Never before has a child asked to be remembered this way at St. Jude,” said Lori O’Brien, a spokeswoman for ALSAC, the fund-raising arm of St. Jude’s.

“We are very grateful that Catie’s family has chosen to honor her generous spirit by helping us work miracles for many other children whose families are praying for one right now. Catie’s final wish … is unique, and we appreciate her family’s support.”

You’ll want to read the whole thing. Lots of generosity, born of an abundance of faith.

To donate:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
In Memory of Catie O’Brien, Code #21824409
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105