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Emily Lester

Hi, welcome to Emily's caringbridge! This site has been provided to keep friends and family updated on my progress. As a three time cancer survivor, it seems as though I was forced to grow up a lot faster than most kids. Quite frankly, I am determined that this will be my last battle. I am extremely sick of this disease. It is an omen that has consumed my life for far too long. My original diagnosis occurred on October 17, 2001, three days after my twelfth birthday. Doctors gave my family the devastating news. I had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of cancer in children. It wasn't until later that week when I began to understand the gravity of my situation. I was old enough to know what cancer was, however for my own protection, the words never seemed to be spoken aloud. After a few days, all I had made out were bits and pieces of a diagnosis. I stayed on full alert, listening to my parents whispers. I questioned each secret hallway meetings as my parents stepped outside to talk with the doctors. Finally I had made out sentences such as -blood disease and leukemia. Unfortunately, I was too scared to ask questions or clarify the facts. I barely understood what was going on until one day I found the courage to confront my parents. So I have cancer, right? It was the hardest question they've ever had to answer. However, they knew that I needed the facts. The bits and pieces about "disease" and "leukemia" were terrifying. My only reference to the term was a Barbara Bush biography that I had read over the summer. The biography had mentioned the death of her child to "leukemia." Recognizing the name of the disease, I feared that soon my family would lose me too.

Those first three years of chemotherapy were quite a battle. However, despite the constant suffering and fatigue, I continued to recover, working toward my high school goals of attending the SPHS International Baccalaureate program. In fighting this illness, I have come to realize that were many gifts in my cancer experience; it just took me awhile to notice. After learning of my relapse in November 2005, my family traveled to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. There Doctors determined that a bone marrow transplant would be my best chance for a cure. Fortunately, my younger sister, hero, and best friend, Catherine, was a perfect match. Transplant was tough! Probably one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced! Following more chemotherapy and total body irradiation, my cancerous marrow was completely wiped out. Infused with my sisters healthy cells, all I could do was wait. Weak and fatigued, I spent months suffering through the awful complications and side-effects. For almost a year, I awaited the slow recovery of my immune system. Meanwhile, my life and dreams sat temporarily on hold. However, despite the pain and suffering, I kept up my spirits and studies, refusing to give up. Through my lonesome year in isolation, I continued to gain strength. In July, 2006, I was finally able to return home. In 2007, I transferred to Seminole High School as a full time student. This year I finally got my license and am now a senior attending high school full time. My coarse load is pretty heavy as I am taking several honors/AP classes. I also continue my education through Florida Virtual School. I have returned to my volunteer work with organizations such as The American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year I have also joined several clubs and extra-curricular activities. Following months of hard work, I recently received news of my acceptance to Duke University. This year it seemed as if my hard work and determination had finally paid off. Up until Thursday January 24th, everything had been going great. The news of my latest relapse has come to our family as a great shock! I still can't believe that this is happening again. Duke is still waiting and I am determined that I wil be there this fall. I am currently back at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

We ask that each and everyone please pray for Emily as she faces this next challenge. We have so many decisions to make; keeping in mind that none will come easy.


Living in a constant sea of devastation, I have witnessed innocence wounded, and come to terms with the precariousness of life. These angels living on in my heart are my reason for wanting to make a difference. Emily Lester




I Will Keep Adding More Pictures...


Chemo Crew Craft & Design

Curing cancer one bead at a time...











Journal

APRIL 3, 2011

Is timing everything? Perhaps a consolation. This past week, Em's Aunt Gigi, participated in the second annual Emily Lester Literacy Week at Colonial Hills United Methodist Pre-K in San Antonio, Texas. With the help of Em's other Aunt, Tricia, thousands of dollars worth of books, including bi-lingual ones, were purchased for this inner city school. Our HOPE, is that these children will foster the same of love of reading which Emily had.

Last week, I attended the fourth annual Emily Lester Memorial Talent Show at St. Petersburg High School. The event was a fundraiser for The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life which the school hosts and participates in. It was facilitated by The Cancer Support Club, co-founded by Emily when she was a student there. The club is for all students who have been affected by cancer. Amy Smith did a wonderful job paying tribute to Emily. Kyle Smith, Amy's Dad, who is also a teacher there, brought all of us to tears when he delivered a heartfelt tribute of our most beloved Emily at intermission. His other daughter, Vickie, was Em's best friend. Thank you to all the students and faculty as well as all those who came out to the event. I know they weren't disappointed. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Alston, for so many reasons.

I just received word that the newly renamed Wendy Johnson, St. Pete Bch Classic, will be partnered with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as one of their premiere running events. Along with this, a half-marathon will be added. Another way to raise money for St. Jude. I remember when Wendy made the trip to St. Jude a few years ago. She was on fire with excitement. She would be so proud! Thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Emily's Relay for Life team, The Chemo Crew, is in full swing for the event which takes place on April 29th at Osceola High School. Friends and family have once again, come together to fight back. If anyone wants to donate in memory of Em, here is the link: It is also at the bottom of this page under 'links'.

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/EmilyLester


Next month, Aunt Joanne & Uncle Mark, will once again host a major fundraising event to benefit St. Jude Hospital at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend. Last year was the inaugural dinner which partners with NASCAR.

Additionally, we just selected the Emily Lester Memorial Scholarship recipient. The scholarship will be awarded next month to a St. Pete High Senior. This student overcame different obstacles yet still managed to set high standards and pursue dreams. Emily would have admired this.

In the coming days and weeks, please continue to pray for Em's family and friends; especially Matthew, Catherine & Grace. Their loss is immense and their pain is ever so deep. No, it doesn't get easier. In fact, in so many ways, it is so much more painful. Their HOPE is HIS promise.

OCTOBER 14, 2010
Today marks Emily's 21st birthday. There are no words to describe how all of us are feeling. I was recently reading in Isaiah, how God calls us. How he issues an invitation and allows us the 'privilege' to respond willingly. God doesn't use an audible voice but the call is no less definite. God's call comes by way of circumstances or from the events in one's life.

I know that Emily willingly answered HIS call and said "Here am I". It is by her witness that we should do the same.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD.




WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010
The following is the presentation speech for the Emily Lester Memorial Scholarship at St. Pete High. The award is based on community service, GPA, financial need and a essay describing an obstacle they have overcome.



The Emily Lester Memorial Scholarship is in memory of our beloved daughter. Emily would have graduated with the IB class of 2008 however, God had another plan for her.

Having been diagnosed with cancer in sixth grade, Emily still managed to continue her schooling, despite three years of chemotherapy and numerous hospital stays. She was rewarded with acceptance into the IB program here at SPHS but had to drop out when her cancer returned sophomore year. Through home schooling and online courses, she kept up with a rigorous college prep curriculum. All this while undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

Emily was one of ten students chosen nationally for the Discover Card Tribute Award and was also a recipient of the prestigious St. Petersburg Times Barnes Scholarship. In the weeks before her death her senior year, she learned that her childhood dream had come true; she had been accepted to DUKE University.

In eulogizing her sister, Catherine, a 2009 IB graduate, talked about how Emily taught her that she didn’t have to follow the crowd and how Emily stood out among her peers because of not only the trials she’d been through, but mostly because of the strength and wisdom she faced them with. Catherine said that although Emily often could not relate to her peers, she didn’t change herself in order to do so. Emily focused on the essential things in life.

Catherine talked about how Emily showed us that it’s always more important to find people who can accept you for ‘you’, rather than to be the person they’ll accept and how she taught us that being your best doesn’t always mean being the best, although often times Emily’s best was the best. Catherine saw how Emily worked countless times harder than most students; always putting forth the extra effort and how Emily always gave her personal best in all that she did, and that way she was never disappointed with herself and never had to wonder what it would be like, if she had worked a little harder.

Emily also worked tirelessly for many causes, especially childhood cancer and inspired others to get involved too. Her peers voted her “most service oriented”.

Most importantly, Catherine felt that Emily taught all of us the true meaning of courage. Catherine said: “To have courage doesn’t mean being fearless. An individual with a courageous heart is someone who has fears but chooses to face them. Emily was oftentimes afraid yet Emily consistently faced her fears head on, clearly demonstrating her strength and courage to the rest of us.”

Emily’s cancer did not define her. She overcame tremendous obstacles yet still managed to succeed and give back to others. It is in this spirit that we are honored to present this year’s award to: Mijana Djurdjevic. (pronounced Me-hana Dee-Jur-jevick)
***********************


Our solace comes from keeping Em's spirit alive. Relay for Life and Emily's "Chemo-Crew", raised nearly $12,000. The team was comprised of mostly 13 year old girls who were inspired by Emily's fight. Once again, they brought home the coveted "Spirit" trophy!

Thanks to all those schools in the Largo-Seminole area, which participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Pennies for Patients/Pasta" campaign. A special thanks to Largo Middle School for once again, honoring Emily and raising over $2,010. The campaign was spearheaded by Grace's former teachers and classmates.

I just returned from Charlotte, NC, where my baby sister, Joann and her husband Mark Hazelwood, hosted a dinner/fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The dinner was at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and represented the 'marriage' of St. Jude and NASCAR. Big names from NASCAR, the NFL, and college basketball,were in attendance. A special thanks to PILOT Travel Centers for underwriting the dinner. Daryl Waltrip mc'd. Guest speakers included Randy Owens (from the group Alabama), the CEO of St. Jude, and a current St. Jude patient. Entertaintment was provided by Ritchie McDonald (former lead singer of Lonestar). Ritchie's songs touched many hearts but especially mine when he dedicated the last song to Emily. Well over $100,000 was raised and we look forward to a lifetime partnership with our dear friends in NASCAR. Look for the St. Jude car- it raced last weekend. I love you Joann and Mark!!!



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E-mail Author: PPLester169@aol.com

 
 

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