"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

Smile

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

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A positive quote from Korrine

Korrine said "Mom, Lance got back on the bike, Bethany got back on the board, and I will get back in the pool" She also quoted Jeremiah 29:11 to the UCSF Pastor that visit's her bedside. My girl, an inspiration of courage, strength, and faith. I love her so.

28 comments:

Sue said...

I have no doubts that you will get back in that pool, Korrine. You rock, girl!!

LiveSTRONG always!

Love,
Sue Bakalar

Anonymous said...

Korrine, I know you must wonder alot why you have to go thru all of this at this time in life. I think we all do. I have been reading the blog for months and I can tell right now how much you alone have helped so many people renew their faith, pay more attention to their faith or pray when they feel they can do nothing else. You are awesome! You keep the faith, and we'll keep the wolf outside the door.
This is an excerpt from an email I rec'd recently, and I thought it was fitting: Jesus said "everytime you gave over your life to me, it became my life, my hardships, and my struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you"

Janet Hemmig said...

Korrine, you are just an amazing girl. You are an inspiration to all of us to stay POSITIVE and LIVESTRONG. We love you and your family so much. Thank you for sharing this Dana.

Love, Janet

Anonymous said...

Korrine, You are the epitome of the power of positive thinking! I can never think of a better word to describe you other than that you are an amazing person! Visualization is the key to all success, and I know you will be successful!

Hope you are feeling well with this round of chemo, keep it up!!

Cindy Gary

Anonymous said...

Korrine, you will get back in that pool!!! You are an inspiration to us all. Keep the faith, keep strong and keep fighting. We are all praying for you and hope that day to get back in the pool will come sooner than later for you.
Much love
The Riddiough's

Lorri said...

SPLASH!

It will be the dive heard and cheered around the world!

Can't wait!

Love, Lorri

Anonymous said...

Dana,
Wow! What an inspiration you are. Do you see what you and Matt have done for this world in raising such an amazing child? Job well done, indeed!!!!

Korrine,
It's so good to hear words from your mouth. It gives those fighting for you even more strength than before. You will get in the pool again - I have faith in you! YOU GO GIRL!

Wendy Campbell

Anonymous said...

Hi Korrine,
Your positive attitude is amazing - you really are inspiration and role model for all of us. You’re absolutely right… you will be back in the pool and what a splash you will make! Stay STRONG!
Hugs and prayers to you –
Glenda, Richard, & Kirra

PS – Way to go girl… quoting scripture to the Pastor – Impressive and Very Cool!

Anonymous said...

A gal that coughs UP a breathing tube-you betcha' you'll be back in that pool!!!!

Praying for you, sweet girl!

Mom, you must be SO PROUD! (Dad & brother too).

Anonymous said...

Right on Korrine! You are one super girl! I can't wait to meet you!
Marilyn Lawrence :)

Anonymous said...

What a champion you are. I went on this site hoping to write something to encourage you and once again, I am signing off with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart. Korrine, you are the warrior among warriors...God Bless and Heal YOU!!

Anonymous said...

Korrine,

You and your family continue to be an inspiration. Your courage and strength are amazing.
You are in our thoughts and prayers always.

With Much Love,
The Opipari's

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to meet you someday, Korrine! You go girl!

Love, The Nagy Family

Anonymous said...

Korrine!


I don't think I have ever met a stronger person. The lessons you teach people everyday with your strength and courage will be lessons that stay with people for life. That is such a powerful thing! I can't wait to see you back in the pool!

That's so cool you met Barry Zito and Matt Cain! I'm sure that brightened your room up a bit :) Things will look up Korrine! I think about you everyday!


Love,
Maddie Sweeney

Anonymous said...

Korrine -

What an AMAZING girl you are! I could not help thinking that Barry Zito and Matt Cain must have been so touched and inspired by you, just as we all are!
Can you imagine the cheering section when you do get back into the pool? We are all here praying for you and your family and cheering you on!
God Bless you all.
The Reddick Family

Anonymous said...

Korrine, we are all waiting for you to get back in the pool... and we KNOW YOU WILL! (I think we'd all like to be there to cheer you on too.)

You are AMAZING! I know it is chemo time and I hope you are feeling OK and still eating. You are always on my mind. Take good care! Give hugs to Mom and Dad for me too.

hugs and love, kathy t.

Anonymous said...

Hi Korrine,
It's Auntie Denise. You ROCK the World beautiful niece! My faith has grown by leaps and bounds as I have watched you go through the biggest challenge of your life. Your love for Jesus shines through in the toughest of times! You amaze me and are one incredible young women. I see your beautiful smile as you look forward to swimming, playing water polo and getting back to enjoying all the things you love to do! You bless us more that you will ever know. To God be the glory, great things He has done! Hang Strong Sweet one.
I love you, Auntie Denise

Anonymous said...

Hay Korrime, I am a swimmer and i just made NCS for the first time as a Freshman. I just recently heard about what you are going through and i know you will soon get real well. I have Faith in you. Your story really touched me. So Korrine, i came by to say that since i have recently heard about what you are going through, tomorrow at NCS i am going to not swim my races fo me, but i am going to swim my races for you. i hope you get better really soon.

Sincerely,

Garrin Chandler Bailey
(Brentwood, CA)

Anonymous said...

Korrine-

YOU ROCK!! You will get back in that pool, and you will be better than ever! I have been reading your blogs, and you are AMAZINGLY AWESOME, and you inspire me, I can not even imagine what you are going through- you have SO MUCH STRENGTH! Being an athlete myself, I could not imagine how hard it must be to go without playing a sport which you are passionate about. From those photos, you look like you have some GREAT skills! Stay strong, I will keep you in my prayers, and every time I walk out on to my playing field, I will think of you, one of the STRONGEST ATHLETES I have ever heard of!!!
You will LiveSTRONG always!!!!!!

- Your #1 fan!!(Hope to see you at the relay!!)

Anonymous said...

That's right Korrine! You will get back in the pool!

Praying for you!
Dave and family, Sonora.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work sweet girl.
God loves you and your family.
Love, Ian and Deb

Anonymous said...

Dana,
What a gift to the world your daughter is! I can only imagine how string your love for her is through all of this. You should be so proud of her and all of your family. What an amazing job you have done. I pray that Korrine sontinues to get stronger in her faith and health.

Korrine,
It is so great to hear your positive comments when you are going through so much. Thank you for inspiring me and many more to be the best we can be and to have faith in God even when times are hard. It will be a wonderful day when you get back into the pool and there will be many fans cheering and crying when we see it! Keep Livingstrong and loving that beautiful family of yours!
Love,
Cindy Vance

Lorri said...

Good morning Korrine...

Today's verse just for you:

The Lord, Korrine's God is with her. He is mighty to save. He takes great delight in Korrine, he quiets [or calms] her with his love, he rejoices over Korrine with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

And I have a sneaking suspicion you can hear Him. I can tell by the way you are living.

Almost done with this chemo! Hooray! Lots of love to you, Lorri

Anonymous said...

You are truly an inspiration to everyone. What a special girl with and incredible family !!!
I don’t know you, but you have become such an inspiration to me.
We are all so proud of you. Keep fighting !!!! We continue to pray and think of you often.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Korrine!
Just checking in to see how you're doing today. If I've been counting correctly, this should be your last day of chemo for this round...Yeah! My prayers are that this round of Chemo has done its job in destroying the cancer, that your blood pressure and fever continues its return to normal, that your lungs are healing, and that you will soon be out of the hospital and back in the pool!

You and your family are in our daily prayers –
Stay STRONG!
The Thornton’s

Anonymous said...

Sweet Korrine,

Yes, God has said, "I KNOW the Plans I have for you .. plans for a HOPE and a FUTURE".

I can HARDLY wait for the Olympics when I get to say.. I KNOW the defender on the Water Polo team! GOD gave her this hope and knew it was her future!

Love you. Praying today as always.

Blessings & hugs,
The Hoagland
J, A & M

Anonymous said...

Way to go Korrine!
xoxo
Emma H

Anonymous said...

Leave it to the Croghan family to be the strongest, most courages and most positive people we know.

Love and Prayers are constantly going your way..

Liz James Ben and Pam