My family spent a family vacation with Shelby and her family in the Outer Banks in North Carolina during the summer of 2004. Her father is a cousin of my wife. Shelby is a beautiful, outgoing, fun-loving young girl. My two boys had a fantastic time on their first vacation with their cousin. Shelby was then six, and her brother was three. In August 2007, Shelby woke up not feeling well. Things happened fast: a seizure, the ambulance ride, hospital, transfer to Children's Hospital in D.C., consultations, MRI's spinal taps, and surgery - all within a week. The operation removed a brain tumour, and was followed by six weeks of radiation. Throughout all of this, Shelby only missed school for doctor appointments, and she managed to do great academically during the ordeal. She is a vibrant 10 year-old, and is now entering 5th Grade in Maryland. With the exception of the odd hairstyle, a direct result of the earlier hair loss, you would have no sense of the overwhelming year Shelby, and her parents, have had. I am glad to have the opportunity to help out in tribute to a very brave young girl.