Most, if not all of us, know someone who is or has battled cancer. It seems like no one is spared from its affects anymore. Unfortunately, and most alarming perhaps, is the rate at which children are being diagnosed. One in every 285 children will be diagnosed with some form of cancer before they turn 20 years old. Even more frightening is the fact that a child will be given a life-threatening diagnosis every three minutes.
Beautiful and vibrant little Jessica Whelan is one such child. Just over a year ago, Jessica was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma — a form of cancer that begins its growth in the cells of an embryo or fetus. Doctors discovered the condition after Jessica had been complaining of pain in her arms and legs, confining her to a hospital bed for over ten weeks.
