Mar 19, 2016

Photo: Dani (far right) with her sister Gabi and her mom Naveena

 

Dear Friends,

 

As the mother of a cancer survivor, I offer this message with our story . . .

My daughter, Dani had always been a healthy kid. She ate organic veggies and led an active life, playing many sports including field hockey, squash, and softball. I always checked off “no” next to the long list of ailments on the questionnaires in the pediatrician's office. Her doctors affectionately described her as a “boring patient” because she was so healthy. Those halcyon days came to an abrupt end, in the fall of Dani's junior year of high school, when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Suddenly, our normal life as we knew it had disappeared.

Instead of shuttling Dani to field hockey tournaments or school events, we were now making frequent trips to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The initial rounds of chemotherapy were tough. The drugs were so strong that while they attacked the cancer, they also zapped Dani's energy and caused all sorts of side effects. Throughout those rough times, we had an amazing support system that pulled us through. Family members, friends, colleagues, as well as students, teammates, teachers, and coaches at Penn Charter lifted us through this difficult journey.

    Dani's love for (and love from) her Penn Charter Field Hockey (PCFH) team was a major positive force in this process. Her coaches, Natasha Pronga, Catherine Ezzo, and Chelsea Erdmanis, had a special way of providing a balance between being tough while creating the perfect motivational messages at just the right time. With support from her coaches and teammates, Dani was determined to battle her most formidable opponent, the one in her body, to get back in the field for her last year of high school.        

    We had to navigate life inside and outside of CHOP as Dani completed several months of chemotherapy. With each round of chemotherapy, her doctors had positive news to report: Dani's body was responding well and the drugs were reducing the presence of cancer. Towards the end of her treatment, her doctors analyzed her scans and other tests, and reported, “We no longer see any signs of cancer. Dani is in remission.”

    It has been five years since we heard the news of Dani's remission status. Dani returns to CHOP periodically for blood work and post-treatment check-ups. With her health in order, Dani was able sprint back on to the field, playing field hockey with her team again during her senior year at Penn Charter. Dani went on to attend Georgetown University and she graduated last May. She now works in San Francisco and lives each moment with a sense of gratitude that she is a survivor.

    On April 23rd, I will climb the 1,092 stairs of the Comcast Building in an effort to raise awareness and funding for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please support our Big Climb efforts in honor of Dani, so that others can receive the best chance at fighting cancer, and climb to great heights in their life journeys.

 

With Gratitude,

Naveena Bembry & the Bembry Family

 

 

 

Go Aunt Naveena! We are so blessed Dani responded to the treatment and received such wonderful care at CHOP. It's great you are raising funds to help develop new treaments to help more families. Love, The Daniels Family Gavin, Eve, Declan, Ranjan & Kalen
The Daniels Family,
Way to go, Bembry Family! We are cheering for ALL of you with HUGS and LOVE and SMILES! Keep up the great energy! Naveena, you will fly up those steps like the wind! Love, Graham, Eliza, Owen, Dave, & Sarah
The Black Family,
I'm so glad you are doing this. I use Danielle's journey as an example to cancer kids I have taught in home and hospital settings. She and your family are an inspiration!
Carla Williams-Namboodiri,
Go Naveena Bembry go! Julie Andrews has nothing on you (bad movie reference to Sound of Music).
Barbara Siegel,
In loving support!
Cathy Buch,
In honor of Dani and all of the wonderful Bembry's. Glad to be able to support this effort. Your old friend, Judi Morrow
judith morrow,
We are inspired by your courage and your fortitude. How lucky for us to have landed next door to you for lo these 18 years! Doff & Robin
Doff Meyer,
We are happy to support the Bembry family! Kenny, Diane, Theresa and Sam Shropshire
The Shropshire Family,
Here's to all who get the survivors surviving through care hugs and prayers
Sigrid Veasey,
Love you guys! Much love to the Bembry family. Go Team! ~~ Natasha
Natasha Pronga,
Perseverance by a beautiful family & very good friends.
Robert & Stephanie Preston,
When we bless others through our work, we also bless ourselves. Shirley Preston
Shirley Preston,
Mingy, Ceci and I are happy to support you and a great cause. Best of luck in the Big Philly Climb!
David Parker,
Go Naveena! Your presence in the world makes it a softer kinder and more thoughtful place, full of love and laughter! ~ Beckie, Morgan and Tate
R Miller,
Go Team Bembry!
Valerie Robinson and Family,
Go Naveena Bembry go! Julie Andrews has nothing on you (bad movie reference to Sound of Music).
Barbara Siegel,

Support our Efforts

Donating for this event will be available from: Friday, October 16, 2015 12:00AM to Thursday, June 30, 2016 11:00PM EST
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Countdown to event

Sat Apr 23, 2016 @08:30 AM  EST

Fundraising Total

100%
Individual Goal
$1,429 of $1,000
100%
Team Goal
$105,369 of $100,000

My Thanks To

  • Robert Miles
    $100.00
  • Allan Lewis
    $100.00
  • David Parker
    $100.00
  • Lisa Lewis
    $100.00
  • The Daniels Family
    $100.00
  • David Yanoff
    $50.00
  • The Black Family
    $50.00
  • Shirley Preston
    $25.00
  • Robert & Stephanie Presto...
    $25.00
  • judith morrow
    $25.00
  • Barbara Siegel
     
  • Valerie Robinson and Fami...
     
  • Peri Taylor
     
  • R Miller
     
  • Lisa and Edward Phillips
     
  • Natasha Pronga
     
  • Sigrid Veasey
     
  • The Shropshire Family
     
  • Doff Meyer
     
  • Shirley Brown
     
  • Cathy Buch
     
  • Carla Williams-Namboodiri