Gobsmacked.

For a number of reasons, I was nervous about posting Emily’s story. Would I get all the details and medical terms right? Would I be able to write in a way that touched people rather than simply evoke their pity? Would my regular readers be angry or annoyed with me for asking them to give money to people they don’t know? And perhaps most frighteningly of all: What if nobody donates anything?

Then miraculously, the links started piling up. The comments flooded in. And each and every time I opened my email there were 30 transaction notifications from PayPal. Admittedly, my first reaction was just relief that the initial response to the post was positive.

And as the hours ticked by and the numbers ticked up, my relief changed to awe. And then to amazement, to joy, to elation. And finally, to complete and utter disbelief. In the span of a little more than 48 hours, more than $15,000 has been donated to the Mandell family. Yes. Fifteen THOUSAND dollars.

I am humbled to think that the amount raised so far is about 15 times more than I ever in my wildest dreams imagined we could scrape together for this family. And it comes just in the nick of time, because Emily’s pathology reports finally came back from the lab this morning.

Emily has been diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor, or AT/RT. Unfortunately, AT/RT is a very rare, very aggressive and highly malignant cancer with a correspondingly high mortality rate.

Tomorrow morning (Thursday), Katie and Brian will be meeting with a team of specialists to discern the best plan for Emily’s treatment. Most likely, the plan will not include staying in Savannah. AT/RT is very rare (only 30 cases are diagnosed each year) and Emily will need to be under the care of an oncologist who specializes in treating this specific disease. As such, there is not one at their current hospital.

Please, if you wanted to donate and haven’t yet, don’t let the fact that it seems that there is “already so much money” deter you. Medical bills can sometimes total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and as of right now, it is uncertain which route Brian and Katie will have to take to get Emily healthy. Some of the options laid out before them tomorrow might not be covered by insurance. They will also incur travel expenses and living expenses in another area of the country, all while continuing to hold on to their assets here in Virginia. And we don’t know exactly how long Emily’s treatment will last, or how long Brian will have to be out of work.

And if you’re praying, please continue. Pray fervently for wisdom for Emily’s doctors, and strength and endurance for her parents, and for a miraculous healing for Emily herself.

I believe with my whole heart that God orchestrated a financial miracle on this paltry little website. And I believe with my whole heart that he can orchestrate a medical miracle as well. I don’t know why we shouldn’t ask that of Him.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to this chapter in Emily’s life, and to those who will. Each and every one of you has made a difference to this family, and to me, and to a little girl who we have to believe will grow up and be able to thank you in person for what you’ve done for her.

More information when I have it. Thank you again, a million times over.

Comments

[Shiloah]

Thanks for giving your readers the chance to bless this family. I am a long-time reader, first-time poster. Emily and her family will be in our prayers.

[Robin]

This little girl and her parents have touched my heart. Please let us know where they land. I am in Chicago and can provide logistical help to the family.

[Nic]

I'll echo the previous poster, is there a preferred method of donation? I have a BOA pretty close to the office if that's better than PayPal.

Also, if they end up in Philadelphia, I'd be happy to help with logistics.

[Erika]

Hey Emily,

I second Jana's comment about St. Jude. I hope they are looking into Memphis as an option.

[Emily]

To all who asked: either donation method is fine. We chose to use Paypal on this site simply for it's convenience for most Internet-savvy people. The Bank of America method is a great way to go if you're close to a branch, don't have a Paypal account, or don't want to have to let Paypal take their 2% away from your donation for their fees. Eventually all the money from this Paypal account will just be dumped into that same Bank of America account, so really, either way is fine. Thank you for asking!

[Heidi]

Thank you for sharing...I've linked your story to my post. I will be contributing, so please keep up the pay pal. I'm rallying the troops to help out any way we can. Let us know if there are other things we can do, where they end up...We'll keep them in our prayers :)

Choose Hope!

[Sheila]

Wow... that is staggering. All of it. The horrible news, the speed of the diagnosis, the outpouring from good people everywhere. I will continue to pray for Emily.

[Kristen]

We're in Houston- and very close to the MD Anderson Cancer Center. They do AMAZING things here, and please tell Emily's parents that if they wind up in Texas, I will do anything I can for them.

[Joni]

I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer, at age 10 months and my parents were told the odds were slim that I would survive. I'm now 28. My doctors told my parents that the children who are fighters can overcome even the worst odds. Let's all send Emily the strength so she can be a fighter who can beat the odds and fight this terrible disease.

[elise]

Thanks for the update, and for giving everyone more time to donate. I hope we can double or triple what has already been raised. This really is a huge blessing in response to such a painful event.

[Katie]

The amount of money raised is amazing. Let's hope it continues! Bless you for doing this.

If they end up in Michigan, perhaps at U of M, please let me know.

[C.]

Someone mentioned if the family goes to Duke to let them know, because they can help. I am in NY and if Memorial Sloane Kettering is the place, please let us know, us NY'ers can help.

[C.]

Someone mentioned if the family goes to Duke to let them know, because they can help. I am in NY and if Memorial Sloane Kettering is the place, please let us know, us NY'ers can help.

[Beth B.]

Thank you for the update and I'm glad that some help is coming out of your post. Please keep us posted. I'm so sad; life is unfair.

Beth

[margot]

Yes, thank you Emily, for giving us a chance to feel like we might make a difference to this family and the courageous journey they are about to endure. My heart is with them. I am also donating next paycheck (stupid rent). Oh! I'd totally help with an Amazon wish list if they're struggling with everyday items too.

This poor sweet girl, hopefully the collective power of the internet can save her.

[Lar]

I, too, believe that God is using you and your website to bring about a miracle, and I've been praying all week about little Emily and her family. I pray that God will heal her and give her strength to overcome this awful illness, and that God will give her family strength to hold up during this frightening time.

Praise God for all those who have donated, and praise Him for his ability to work wonders, to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

[Milana]

Hi Emily-

One of my sorority sisters passed away in October, after fighting a very short but sever case of ovarian cancer at the age of 22. While we were unable to save her, the doctors and nurses at Sloan Kettering in NYC were so amazing. Please let me know if the family ends up there, as I'm only an hour outside of the city. I will be glad to do anything that I possibly can. Our thoughts are with them <3

[Cassandra]

Like so many others have said, its is am amazing thing what you have done. God is good huh? I dont have a huge amount of blog readers/fans but I will link your blog to it to try and help a little bit.

[Jes]

Right after I read Perspective, I thought of our local top 40 station here in Raleigh, NC. I listen to the morning show on occasion and I know the host had a brain tumor this time last year. He has really been focused on giving time and energy to cancer patients, and so I've e-mailed the link to your site and a synopsis in hopes they will mention it on the radio. Thank you so much for making all of us aware. You're a wonderful friend.

[Melanie Avila]

I found your blog through a series of others and while I cannot donate for financial reasons, I wanted to tell you how wonderful I think you are for doing this for your friends.

[Aimee]

I don't know exactly what to say but wanted to let you know that they are in my prayers!

God is a miracle worker! He is absolutely amazing and I too beleive you were meant to start this blog to help people like little Emily.

God bless you all!

[mk]

I am here through the blog fashionisspinach and hope people will continue to donate because, as one poster said, unfortunately $15K is not much money in the face of what this family is facing. I am so happy to hear that people responded so well. God bless you and Emily's family.

[mazerton]

Hi Emily,
I don't know how i came across your sight, but I'm so glad I did. You are an amazing and wonderful friend. I cannot stop thinking of that beautiful little girl and her parents. My husband and I are both teachers and we have a 14 month baby girl as well...I have a special place in my heart for this family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help.

[patti]

If they end up in Chicago at Children's Memorial, please contact me. I am a Realtor in the city and have lots of contacts for housing that I could attempt to get cheap or even free.

What a story, and what a miracle YOU are helping to pull off!

[baggage]

I posted it on my blog. I hope it will help. And I hope they can go someplace like St. Judes so some of the financial burden will be lessened.