When doctors found a tumor the size of a grapefruit on Emily’s liver in early February, her whole family pulled together to take care of one another, especially sweet Emily.  Emily’s big sister Sarah was the one I spoke to for the bio, and as she described the courage and beauty her little sister possesses, I couldn’t help but feel the special bond between these two sisters.

Five days after her twelfth birthday, doctors discovered the tumor that they would soon realize was Cancer.  Emily’s diagnosis is Pediatric Undifferentiated Sarcoma, which is centralized on the liver.  Immediately, Emily started chemotherapy to shrink the tumor that had also begun spreading to her lymph nods.  After eight of the proposed ten weeks of chemo, the tumor began to shrink and the cancer in the lymph nodes was eliminated.  As a result of this prognosis, Emily will be able to have surgery on the tumor on April tenth, to hopefully have it removed.   Even with the majority of her days the last few months spent in the hospital, Emily has remained incredibly optimistic and positive.

Emily is a little social butterfly.  She plays in the band at school, remains an active part of her church youth group, and dances ballet.  Emily’s joyous and brave spirit has also prompted strangers to reach out to her and her family, offering encouragement and support wherever possible.  Emily serves as a light and an inspiration to all who know her.

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Clothing donated by Ga Ga Chic

Bio written by Alex Smith

music: Dashboard Confessional - Carry This Picture