By Christine and Kevin
Catie’s Parents
Apr. 11, 2009

It’s impossible to summarize a life as beautiful and rich as Catie’s in one short letter, but there are some things you should know. Catie loved reading, math and music. She enjoyed entertaining people with her singing and dancing, and she directed many fine family productions of The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. She also loved her sisters and brother. Now that she’s gone, we miss her every day.

After Catie was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, (ATRT), we talked to her about going to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We explained that her case was so rare, she required the best care and the best hospital to beat the odds that were stacked against her.

Catie was a patient of E Clinic (Neuro-Oncology), but she got to know everyone.

She had lots of favorite places and things to do at the hospital, like visiting with friends outside the Kay Kafe, playing Webkinz^TM in the library, walking the loop in the hospital plaza for exercise, praying in the chapel, or strolling around the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden and tossing pennies into the water.

Catie also loved visiting the gift shop, where she would buy something for each of her visitors. Thanks to Catie, many people in Pennsylvania are wearing St. Jude shirts, bracelets and hats. Catie had a true spirit of generosity and giving. She shared many of the gifts sent to her with other St. Jude children.

One weekend in August on a museum outing near St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Catie met several members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club. These motorcycle enthusiasts generously support St. Jude, and Catie was pleased to get to know them.

It got Catie wondering, “What could one little girl do?”

Catie continued to think about giving to St. Jude – not just to the patients, but to the doctors, nurses, researchers and all the other St. Jude staff.

When Catie heard the word “legacy” for the first time, she asked what it was and why someone would have a legacy. I explained it to Catie in a very matter-of-fact manner. Giving it some thought, Catie said she knew what she wanted her legacy to be. Catie’s birthday wish is to raise enough funds to pay for the operating costs of St. Jude on her 8th birthday, April 23. As I heard this idea from my daughter, tears of joy and pride streamed down my face.

“Catie, you are amazing!” I told her. “How can we make this happen for you?”

To make Catie’s legacy a reality, we once again turned to St. Jude for help, and now we turn to you.

For our daughter Catie, and for all the children of St. Jude,

please donate today.

Source: St. Jude