Mason mom inspired by daughter's strength | Cancer Kick

Mason resident Christine Lothrop volunteers for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society for a very personal reason.

In 2008, Lothrop got the news that her daughter had cancer. Liz, a Mason Middle School eighth grader at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

So began the difficult two-and-a-half year battle of Liz?s life. It included chemotherapy and radiation treatments that left her bald and bedridden for days, bone marrow aspirations and doctor appointments. She worked hard to keep up with her school work during the brief windows of time when she was well enough to do so.

?Liz looks at the glass more than half full, ? said Lothrop. ?Most kids on that [oncology] floor at the hospital have that disposition. It?s called fighting for your life.?

Thankfully, things are looking good for Liz these days. However, no one with blood cancer is ever considered completely ?cured? of the disease.

?That?s why I?m still doing all of the fundraising,? said Lothrop. ?It [the cancer] is like a sleeping giant in there. It?s still in there, but hopefully it will stay sleeping for a long time.?

What she does: ?I work on the Light the Night event for LLS,? said Lothrop. ?The Mason walk is Sept. 27 at the Mason Municipal Campus. I love this event because it is the only one that the cancer patients themselves can participate in (with LLS).?

She also spearheaded a local event now in its second year called Blazin? with Love. The event features a 5k walk/run and cornhole tournament that honors local blood cancer patients.

The most satisfying thing about volunteering: ?Knowing that I am making a difference and trying to save lives and giving to someone who can?t give for themselves because they are too sick.?

Qualifications to get involved with this group: ?All you need is passion, drive, determination and a heart to help.?

How does someone get involved? Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in the Blazin? with Love event can visit http://blazinwithlove5k.wix.com/event. For info on the Mason Light the Night event, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/soh/mason12/christinelothrop. For general information on other Leukemia Lymphoma Society events, go to www.lls.org or call the local chapter office at (513) 698-2453.

Article source: http://www.pulsejournal.com/news/news/local/mason-mom-inspired-by-daughters-strength/nRDrd/

Source: http://cancerkick.com/2012/08/22/mason-mom-inspired-by-daughter%E2%80%99s-strength-2/

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