When Kylie Rowand was only 19 months old, she was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma. When her parents, Bree and Luke Rowand, were told their she had cancer on Dec. 30, 2013, they created a Facebook Page, Prayers for Kylie, God's little Warrior, to share their daughter's progress and journey. It evolved into a movement of nearly 112,000 people in 47 countries donating money and praying for baby Kylie, who fought for her life in California.
The Rowands took Kylie, after the initial diagnosis, to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for treatment. She underwent more than 10 surgeries, suffered two brain bleeds and had countless biopsies.
Luke Rowand, who continued to work a full-time job in California to support the family, eventually decided to leave his position to be with his wife and daughter full time in New York. A friend setup a GoFundMe page to help cover Kylie's medical bills and living expenses. Family, friends and strangers donated more than $100,000 to the Rowands, reports Today.
After Kylie passed away on Feb. 7, 2015, the Rowands wanted to pay it forward to other families suffering childhood cancer. They used their Facebook page to raise nearly $200,000 for childhood cancer, giving the money to financially strapped families suffering childhood cancer and to fund research.
Bree also established a nonprofit foundation in her daughter's honor. Their goal is to raise money for pediatric cancer and help other families who find themselves in a similar position to what they experienced.
A fan, who read about Kylie's story online, started a nail polish company called "Kylie's Kolors." Kids with cancer can create their own polish, and all the proceeds go to fund their treatment.
Last week, the Rowands presented a $100,000 check to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for neuroblastoma research.
Bree today (May 20) placed on Kylie's Facebook page that she was out of things to share and post, except for leaving online friends with the following statement from Shawshank Redemption: "I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
