Posted on 09/17/2005 1:36:51 PM PDT by machogirl
News Update E.V. child dies before she can get a liver transplant By Hayley Ringle, Tribune September 16, 2005
Haley Knutsen Haley Knutsen smiled despite the constant pain. She banded together the East Valley, which raised more than $175,000 for the 9-year-old’s fight against leukemia.
Related Links Today's Top Stories News
There were "Hope for Haley" wristbands and magnet ribbons, penny drives, carwashes, bake sales, lemonade stands, concerts, a raffle with a donated BMW, and a poker tournament this past weekend.
Hope ended at 12:55 a.m. Thursday. Haley died.
But it wasn’t in vain.
"She brought so many people together and taught us all so much — about appreciating our kids, about strength and fortitude, just her ability to overcome," said Mary-Jo Okawa, Haley’s music teacher at Humphrey Elementary School.
"She handled all of it with grace and with her strength and spirit. She will be a legend in our community for a long time. Already people are talking about doing fundraisers in her honor. She was a remarkable human being."
Haley’s battle with leukemia and her need for a liver transplant was a story many became emotionally involved in.
She had been a leukemia patient since age 2, undergoing repeated chemotherapy and radiation, and three bone marrow transplants.
The cancer had been in remission since her last bone marrow transplant four months ago, but years of treatments left Haley with a damaged liver.
Hopes were higher last week when she was supposed to fly to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to be evaluated for a liver transplant. But that was postponed after kidney dialysis problems put her in an intensive care unit at Tucson’s University Medical Center.
Monday, news came that the leukemia was back. The liver transplant was canceled and doctors told Haley’s family nothing else could be done except to make her comfortable.
"We were all thinking they were going to go to Nebraska. Then within a day she’s not well and then boom," said Jacque Hartrick, Chandler High School’s student council adviser. "We had talked to them a couple days ago when they found out the leukemia was back. But . . . I still didn’t think it was going to happen."
Chandler High School was hit hard with the news since Haley’s dad, Chris Knutsen, is an assistant principal there.
The student council raised $30,000 after the family’s insurance hit its cap.
"Whatever happens to one person at our school affects everybody," said student council president Karen Okonkwo. "We want the Knutsen family to know that they will always remain in our prayers and that Haley will always be regarded as an angel to us."
Navarrete and Humphrey elementary schools also were struck with the news. Haley’s sister, Kylene, is a sixth-grader at Navarrete. Haley’s mom, Angie, taught at Navarrete and Humphrey. Haley also attended both schools.
District crisis teams were set up at both, and a letter was sent home to parents with information to help them talk to their children, said Terry Locke, a district spokesman.
Sam Merrill, Navarrete’s principal, said it was a "pretty somber and sad" day for the school, which held a moment of silence.
Family friend Dawn Zuber runs the Hope for Haley Web site and helped organize fundraisers. Through all the operations, chemotherapy and hospital stays, she said the Knutsen family’s spirit "never broke."
"That was Haley’s wish," Zuber said. "Haley said she wanted to fight."
Hope for Haley is in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization to raise money for children with similar problems, Zuber said.
The first could be a girl in Tucson who’s in dire need of a bone marrow transplant, but has no way to pay for it.
"Haley wants us to help this child. This is what we will do," reads a message from the Knutsen family on the Web site. "This will make Haley very happy." Contact Hayley Ringle by email, or phone (480)-898-6301
Fly and play with the ladybugs, Haley
God Bless these children who are stricken with these terrible diseases but face them with such courage and grace.
Please pray especially for Haley’s sister, Kylene. I know too well what she's been going through and what may lie ahead. Haley is now at peace. Kylene may spend the rest of her life without any.
you're absolutely right, the whole family is experiencing such a tramatic, tremendous loss.
Though we don't understand, yet we trust in You. Make this child's life a lasting memory of love to those who knew her, and bring Your comfort and peace to her family members. Hold Haley close to You, Father, for we know You love her even more than those here who love her most. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Blessings on all those who did all in their power to help this little girl.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.