Katherine was diagnosed with ALL on May 12, 2011 at 4 years old, after an ear infection that didn't respond to antibiotics. She is now in remission and doing well since going off therapy in July of 2013. There were many days spent on the couch because steroids made Katherine too weak to do anything else. There were countless days spent away from friends because of a weakened immune system. There were several late night trips to the ER because of fever. There were unexpected hospital stays. There were pounds of pasta cooked and eaten because that's all that tasted good. And this is just scratching the surface. But she pulled through. She is now a "normal" 10 year old. She has been able to try soccer, gymnastics,  horseback riding, and the trombone.  She is doing well in school, and joys trading her Shopkins with friends.   She is funny, energetic, entertaining, independent, attached to her big brother, and pretty cute even WITH hair. Katherine knows things could have gone differently for her. The scar from her port is like a badge of honor, and she talks openly about when she had cancer. She is alive thanks to a great treatment team and a protocol developed through years - no generations - of research. But other kids don't have generations, they need better treatment NOW.