Laurie’s Story

This year, 2020, will be a year many will never forget! A pandemic, COVID-19, touched our
nation and much of the world in unprecedented ways! Prior to March of this year, most people
never could have imagined the idea of facing times like this when fear, worry and a sense of
needing to protect loved ones would consume them. For me, however, these feelings and
thoughts are very similar to what I experienced 10 years ago, in 2010. That was when my
oldest daughter, Abby, faced the unimaginable diagnosis of an aggressive, stage 4
Glioblastoma brain tumor. Abby was just 6 years old.

Abby fought for her life with numerous days and nights spent in the intensive care unit. She
was treated by a variety of medical professionals, was limited to a small number of visitors and
her future was very uncertain. Doesn’t that all sound quite familiar to this year’s news
headlines? Unfortunately, the outcome was quite similar, too. Abby passed away just three
weeks after her diagnosis.

COVID-19 has caught the attention of everyone in our nation. Many people feel as though not
enough has been done to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. They are holding onto hope
for a vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones from getting sick. An amazing amount
of resources have been shifted and focused on these efforts. Lives are at stake!

Abby’s story is one of way too many! There are children facing a cancer diagnosis every day.
The children and their families are holding onto hope for effective treatments and ultimately, a
cure. This is why it is so important for you to consider supporting/donating to Prayers from
Maria. While the pandemic has changed how we live our lives in many ways, it has not
changed the need to support childhood cancer research. Kids lives are at stake!

Laurie Streszoff
Abby’s Mom

Donate to Prayers from Maria and help us bring more targeted, lifesaving treatments to children
battling deadly brain tumors. Every dollar donated is significant. Thank you.

New way to donate!