To Our St. Baldrick's Friends & Family –

We are here to raise money for childhood cancer research. You hear the word cancer quite often. You see a rainbow of colored cancer ribbons everywhere you look. You see colorful rubber bracelets on peoples’ wrists, supporting all of the different types of cancer and organizations. You are familiar with cancer, but most likely haven't been formally introduced like our family was in November 2008.

Our 4 year old daughter, Sara was diagnosed with kidney cancer - Stage IV Wilms Tumor that spread to her lungs and liver. Cancer barged into our family's home and forever changed our lives. Sara endured 3 surgeries. Sara remained completely still for 13 radiation treatments to her lungs, abdomen and pelvis. Sara trudged through 33 weeks of chemotherapy. Sara had 5 different chemotherapy drugs pumped into her little, four year old body.

I tell you this not to make you sad, but for you to see where your efforts/money are going. Isn't it amazing that Sara's cancer treatment was toxic enough to kill her cancer, but gentle enough to keep a smile on her face? Cancer treatment hasn't always been this way. Besides the US government, St. Baldrick's funds more in childhood cancer research than any other organization. If not for this fundraising, cancer researchers would not be able to find just the right concoction of chemotherapy and radiation to kill the cancer, but save the child. And this time, it was our daughter Sara.

Because you care, our daughter, Sara, is 17 years old - she has a compassionate heart and a contagious smile. Sara is loving her printmaking classes, wearing hooded sweatshirts and eating sushi with friends. Sara is excited for her future - choosing a major and which college has the best sweatshirt. Because you care, Sara is celebrating 13 years CANCER FREE! 

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy Sara,
Joe and Erin Martorano

Just Do It...and be done with it.
-- Sara Martorano during her cancer treatment