Annika loves singing, reading, comics, her cats, her family and her friends. Diagnosed with cancer at age 11, and then declared "Cancer Free" at 12, made for an interesting and challenging year. She was diagnosed in Feb 2009 with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a rare cancer with approximately 400 cases in the United States. Burkitt's is the fastest growing solid tumor, often doubling in size within 24 hours. Annika had emergency surgery to remove the tumor. Then she endured an intense, potent & toxic chemo protocol. She has had numerous scans, scopes and tests. Through it all Annika held onto the love that surrounded her. Her first N.E.D. scan was May 20, 2009.
With more of the important pediatric-specific research funded by St. Baldrick's, fewer and fewer kids will have to learn about cancer treatments the way Annika did... the hard way.
You can learn more about Annika's odyssey with cancer here
and here
