Kailyn Christine Rhea's strength, determination and generosity while battling cancer was a source of inspiration for family and friends.
The 14 year old was diagnosed in 2004, with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of connective tissue in children. She started the Kailyn Rhea Foundation in 2006 to raise money for pediatric cancer research and to help other children with the disease.
Shortly after she was diagnosed, the 11 year old started collecting hats for cancer patients who had lost their hair during chemotherapy. Karen Rhea said her daughter wrote an essay in which she said if she hadn't had cancer, she would not have been able to help other children.
Kailyn passed Thursday July 12, 2007 in her Arlington Heights home. She had just finalized plans for a second annual golf outing she and her family host to raise money for cancer research.
One of the beneficiaries of Kailyn's foundation
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc.
(BNPCFI) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in late 1992 by Kathleen A. Casey, President. The foundation is named in memory of her eight year old son, Barrett "Bear" Krupa, who died after a courageous five and a half year battle with Wilms Tumor, a pediatric cancer.
The Foundation is a national organization whose mission is to eliminate pediatric cancer and to provide hope and support to those who are touched by it.
