"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."
Mother Teresa
Cancer stripped her of everything including her life but it could not steal away God's LOVE, PEACE and the JOY that radiated through her. Korrine never stopped SMILING!
Korrine Lannie Croghan
Korrine Croghan was a vivacious 14-year-old girl who lived all of her life in Livermore, CA. She had a love for animals, sports, and most of all, family. Korrine was a straight “A” student while attending Mendenhall Middle School and was working hard in her first trimester at Granada High. She was a great friend to many and was everything that a brother, mother and father could ask for in a daughter. Korrine was the type of girl who would greet you with a wide smile and look into your eyes and truly would want to know how you were doing
Korrine & Cancer
On December 20th, 2007, Korrine was diagnosed with Choriocarcinoma with a germ cell element. Choriocarcinoma is a very rare type of cancer in teenage girls and inflicts less than 200 nationwide each year. Although the cancer started in her left ovary, the cancer had spread to her right ovary, lungs and liver. After the removal of a cantaloupe sized tumor in her left ovary on December 21st of 2007, Korrine, endured 10 months of intense chemotherapy designed for adult men.
During the course of her treatment, Korrine suffered many complications. In early April of 2007, her liver began to bleed. After staying at Kaiser Oakland for almost two weeks, Korrine was transfered to UCSF and spent a month in the intensive care unit. The doctors at UCSF Medical Center were finally able to stop her bleeding liver, but, not before it filled her abdomen with 5 liters of blood that had to be drained via a tube inserted into her stomach. On top of that, both of Korrines’ lungs collapsed while undergoing a CT scan that almost took her life. Because of that, 2 liters of fluid needed to be drained off of her lungs with the use of another drainage tube. Throughout her treatment Korrine needed numerous blood and platelet transfusions. She had nosebleeds that lasted an hour on several occasions. At one point, she had 18 intravenous tubes running through her body filled with anti-bacterials, anti-fungals, nutrition, painkillers and chemotherapy. Korrine miraculously made it through those tough days at UCSF and returned to Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. She was finally stable and was released to go home in late June. Just as things were starting to look up for her, she suffered septic shock in July that forced her to go back into intensive care at Kaiser in Santa Clara for 2 weeks.
Korrine returned home in late July and went through imaging scans to see if the cancer had disappeared. The scans always came back good, but not great. In an effort to kill and stop the remaining cancer cells, she underwent an emergency round of chemotherapy in early September. Unfortunately, it did kill the remaining cancer and her doctors had run out of options.
Korrine spent her last days at home with her family reading books and loving on her cats and dog. She passed away quietly, at home, on October 27th, 2008. Through it all, Korrine had a positive attitude and never gave up or complained. Many consider Korrine a hero.
Team KC
The Team KC website was originally started as a way to encourage, educate, raise awareness, and keep friends and family informed with accurate information on Korrine's treatment and progress. Family, classmates, friends, community members, and complete strangers rallied to support Korrine and her family through her fight against Choriocarcinoma. We were amazed by the amount of support we received, and it is now our desire to give back. In March, 2009, Team KC became an official nonprofit by joining forces with Kaiser Foundation Hospital. All monies raised by Team KC will directly benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families. All monetary contributions are tax deductible.
Our Mission: To help improve the quality of life of pediatric cancer patients and their families. We wish to supply children with fun activities, toys and anything else that will brighten and better their lives. Monies will also be used to help parents pay for bills and defray the costs of gas, food and lodging that go along with caring for a child with cancer.
Stay Positive, LIVESTRONG & Welcome to Team KC!
*This is the official Team KC website and the only website approved by the Croghan family. Please do not use content, images, or video from this site without permission. This is an effort to respect the family's privacy and ensure that all content is accurate and approved. Thank you for your cooperation.
A Note From Korrine (written after her 4th round of Chemo)...
Hello everyone! It's me, Korrine. I just wanted to take a
moment to thank each and every one of you for supporting me through emails,
visits, food, gifts, and most importantly, prayer. Without it, I probably
wouldn't have made it this far. Anyways, on a happier note, I am happy to
announce that I am feeling very good. This last round of chemo hit me pretty
hard, but I think that it is more exiting to end things with a big BANG! I will
try to start writing things for the blog now that my chemo therapy is over, but
until then, just know that I love every single one of you and I am always
thinking about my family, friends, and even the people who I've never met
before. Thanks for joining my battle and for making this experience "The
Experience of a Lifetime." LIVESTRONG! And stay positive.
Korrine Lannie Croghan
Happy New Year! We hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year surrounded by friends and family. When the clock strikes 12 and we enter into 2008, please say a special prayer for Korrine. She begins her chemotherapy treatments tomorrow and that will mark the beginning of her healing process and probably one of the most difficult years of her life. Yesterday, I asked Korrine what she is most afraid of about chemo. She said she isn't scared, because she knows that it will heal her body and cure her from this terrible disease. Korrine truly is LIVINGSTRONG!
Are you making a New Years Resolution in honor of Korrine? For example, will you grow your hair out for Locks of Love? Will you shave your head when Korrine does (I know Korrine's dad Matt and his brother Mark are going to)? Will you start donating to a specific charity (Korrine's Charity is still being established and we will announce how to donate soon)? Will you commit to pray for Korrine at least once a day? Will you help Matt and Dana with errands or house/yard work once a month? Will you weare a LIVESTRONG bracelet everyday? Are you planning a fundraiser to benefit Korrine's foundation or to buy her a special gift? We want to hear about all of the amazing things you are doing.
Please post a comment to this topic, and tell us about it!
With all our Love, The Croghan Family!
21 comments:
I have been wanting to do locks for love for months now-I will do it for Korinne-I have waaaaay too much hair anyway!
Love Maxine Hammons, Sammi's mom
I have everyone I know praying for Korrine-GO TEAM KC!
Maxine,
Thaat's great. Thank you so much! If enough people are interested, maybe we can do a little event for the "big cut." I think a lot of guys will be shaving their head in her honor as well, so we could possibly comine the events. Any guys willing to shave your head???
My family and I will wear a Live Strong bracelet in support of Korrine and we will pray for her every time we see the bracelet. Just let me know where to get the bracelets.
You can buy the bracelets here: http://www.store-laf.org/wristbands.html I think they also sell them at local sports stores (Sports Authority, Sport Chalet, etc.)
Hi Korrine!!! I hope you have a super duper fun new years. I am definitely thinking about you constantly!
Speaking of the blog, I am cutting my hair pretty soon. I did it three years ago in 7th grade and donated 13" and I decided a few months ago that I'm going to do it again sometime in the next 3 months probably! I'll let you know how much I cut off. I'm up to 12 so far but we'll see what I'm at in February or March! =)
I love you sooo much Korrine!! I miss being on your polo team but I will see you once you're in high school! =D
Much love--Alex Accornero!
I have already ordered 20 bracelets through the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a tribute to Korrine and her fight. I will order more soon, cuz everyone I know wants to wear one in honor of her!
Hi Croghan Family~
All of our prayers are with you. Alyson has been growing her hair out for Locks of Love so if we can donate in behalf of Korrine let us know how we can do that. I would also like to offer any household help. We are listed in the school directory. Dana, call on us any time.
~Donielle, Kevin, Christopher and Alyson Machi
Hey Korrine...I would love to wear a livestrong bracelet and I will definetly pray for you each and every day!
Korrine,
My name is Matt and I am a friend of your dad's. I really enjoyed looking at all of your pictures on your blog. You have a wonderful family. I hear you are starting a new chemo treatment. I wish I had some special words that would make what you are going through all better. Unfortunately I do not, but I am also a Christian and my family and I will be praying for you everyday. It is obvious that you and your family have great faith in God. I know I do not always understand why God allows things to happen on this earth. I try to remain patient and remember that God is in control and I am not. My prayer for you is that you remain hopeful. God has a plan for your life! He is using you, even now, for something great. Remain strong and have faith that God will lead you through this. I want you to get well so that I can come see you play water polo!
God Bless You,
Matt Loggins
Hi Korrine,
my name is Karen Blom-Boswell and I used to live down the street from your Aunt Denise & Uncle Mark. Your cousin Trevor and my oldest son Chris have been friends for many many years. Trevor just visited him in Italy over the summer. I will try to see if I can get him to email you all the way from Italy. All the Croghans are very special to us and if he has the time I know he'd email you. I myself will swim an extra 10 laps everyday for you until I know you are feeling better. hugs 2 U Karen
To KORRINE
Just wanted to say you are in our familys prayers.In our class we have prayer request our whole class is praying for you.I hope you feel better soon.I dont know how hard it is to go through these
hard times but what i can say is that GOD is with you werever you go and whenever.I would love to visit you sometime.you are probobly my best frined in the whole world becase you are nice and sweet and becase you are full of fun and laughter.i hope you had a wonderfull Christmas and a happy new year.i hope you feel much much much better. your friend victoria beato
Dear Korrine,
I love your Uncle Trevor and Auntie Nicole, and have met and observed you many times. I have always been struck by how together and poised you are. You are an incredible, beautiful, dynamic and strong young woman who is being called upon to fight. I am fully convinced that with God and your army of family and friends, you will be able to beat this. I will wear a bracelet, my children will wear bracelets, and I will share your story with everyone I know....you will have scores of people who will pray and send you love and good wishes of comfort and healing. Martina Foy
Dear Korrine,
My sister(Martina Foy) just sent me your blog.I don't know you but was touched by your story. I will pray for you and for your body to be healed.You seem like a strong girl with great family and friends.
Keep smiling you have a beautiful smile!!
God Bless you,
Monica Flynn
Exodus 15:26
“For I am the LORD who heals you.”
Jehovah Rapha is His name.
Dearest Korrine and Dana,
We ARE PRAYING passionately for you Korrine and your family. Our Great God says in 2 Kings “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.” I Praise Him for the healing is has for you. I praise Him for the love and protection He has for YOU and your family.
CALLING ALL PRAYER WARRIORS!!
I’m opening my home to anyone who wants to come lift up Korrine and the whole Croghan family to our Great Jehovah Rapha. Let's come together in agreement for the healing that He has for Korrine. If you can't join us face-to-face, PLEASE lift your hearts and minds to Him on Wednesday evenings, 6pm-7pm. Consider fasting and praying at this time.
Please contact me, Sally Olson, for location and directions. Send email to Olson-S@comcast.net.
Praying scripture: Exodus 15:26: "For I am the LORD who heals you."
Wednesdays, 6pm -7pm—-
start on time, end on time.
The Olson’s Home, Livermore, CA.
Olson-S@comcast.net
Believing Him for the healing He has.
Love,
Sally Olson
I hope you get better soon Korrine cause we need to hang out sometime and I have to introduce you to some of my crazy friends who I know you'll love!!!!!!
Dear Korrine,
I know your Dad and Mom from the Old Days. Way back when...and, I swam for your Grandpa back at Ohlone a 100 years ago. So, I know you have an awesome group of friends and family. I have 2 girls close to your age and I know that if anytime they were sick we would be needing all of the support, love and prayers I could find! We will keep you in our thoughts and pray for your rapid recovery. Your spirit is strong and you've already made an amazingly strong journey. Only the best thoughts coming from San Mateo and the Jacobs' household.
Venecia/Joe/Natalie & Amelia Jacobs
you shoot fast i couldnt block any of your shots during the tournement but i hope you feel beter
stonridge golie
Hi Korrine,
I am wearing the Livestrong bracelt in honor of you and your fight (thanks to Betsy Wilson for handing them out!) Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and the Croghan family.
April, Sebastian, Sophia, & Fabian
hi korrine you me probably dont know me but my name is Lyndsay Albiani I go to your school. Im in seventh grade and I have seen you around school before. My friend Cheyenne Pico told me about you.I felt soo bad and just wanted to wish you luck.I hope you make it through everything, and come back to school soon.Im sure all your friends miss you!I hope you get well soon!!!good luck! -Lyndsay:)
hi Corrine its lyndsay Albiani again. I heard that every Friday the School is going to send you cards!Look for one from me youll be sure to get a few!! Well I hope you are doing well!And I hope your feelng better.Get well soon!!!(: talk to you later!(:
-Lyndsay
I will pray for you korine and also I wear a livestrong band so, I also suggest listening to a song that sill get u through hard times it is called hold on by the jonas brothers it can be about anything well I am so sorry this happened but I am sure you will get better I admire you!!!
-nichole-
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