"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
Last night 3 major networks had a telethon called "Stand Up For Cancer" to raise money for cancer research. I was thrilled that finally cancer research is getting some much needed publicity from major television networks. Our doctors told us that if Korrine had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mixed Germ Cell Choriocarcinoma 10 years ago she would not have lived. Because of Cancer Research Korrine is still with us today.
As you know Korrine lost her left ovary to cancer. She had cancer in her right ovary and the cancer was removed from her right ovary and they were able to save the ovary. The cancer had grown into her abdomen and the tumor removed. The cancer spread to her lungs and liver. Korrine is still fighting this cancer. Because Korrine's cancer originated from her ovary lets do something to support Ovarian Cancer Research.
For all of us women. For the month of September you can purchase a limited edition L'Oreal Paris Color of Hope Infallible Lipstick for ($12). For the month of September ($2) from every sale goes to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. This is a small price to help find a cure.
We also need to continue to raise awarness for Pediatric Cancer Patients and Pediatric Cancer Survivors. Let's not allow these precious children to fall through the cracks.
Stay Positive and LiveSTRONG
Dana and Matt Croghan
20 comments:
Amen Dana!
What an amazing telethon last night. I am also praying that the next president will indeed give more funding to cancer research!! Thankfully it's come a long way, but still has a long way to go. We need to rid the world of this horrible disease.
Got my Color of Hope lipsick yesterday. It's so pretty!! I liked it so much, I bought the toenail polish as well. I have also challenged all the women I know to join us and purchase Hope. It's such a good cause.
May you all have a beautiful day together and know how much you are all loved.
Love,
Sue
To the awesome Croghan family! We could never grow weary in praying for our little sister and her precious family! Everyday there are hundreds of prayers for beautiful Korrine, and they will not stop! We are praying that Matt will be blessed and strengthened as he heads back to work, that you will be encouraged and strengthened as you take on the many tasks and challenges of the days ahead. Along with that, our prayer is that you continue to enjoy everyday and every moment together, as we know you are, and we thank you for teaching us how important that is in life!
You guys are dearly loved and are in our hearts and prayers each and every day!!!
Love to you and big hugs!
The Gilberts
I'm gonna get me some of that!!! A couple of colors even. Thanks for the heads up. Anything we can do to help find a cure is appreciated.
Wendy Campbell
thank you for sharing this Dana and I will be sure to purchase this lipstick and forward it to every women I know. Yes every bit makes a difference and hopefully can save lives.
Give that beautiful girl of yours a big hug from us. She WILL be one of them to be saved and beat this horrible cancer!
Much love to you all
god bless
The Riddiough's
Off to buy some lipstick!!! I am still praying for you, Korrine!!! We had a tournament this weekend that Granada was also in and I wish you could have been there! You were definitely there is spirit. Also, yesterday I took my LiveStrong bracelet off for the first time in a lonnnnnnng time, and I had a tanline!!! I'm so proud of it!! :)
I hope things are going well. You're still on everyone's minds!
Love, Alex Accornero
Korrine-
I found the show last night, it was so touching. I am not a very emotional person, but that show almost made me cry. Don't you wish you could press a button and cancer could be cured? Don't you wish that all the doctors in the world could team up to find a cure? I do. My family does. I want to KILL cancer. It deserves it,after everything it has done to SO many people. I think they should show stand up 2 cancer EVERY week, people who don't pay attention to diseases like cancer will have their eyes opened.
Korrine, we are all praying for you. You are amazing. LIVESTRONG!
Hi Croghan's!
I am so glad that more people are "standing up to cancer" and hopefully more money will be put towrds research and a cure!
I will be shopping later today to find The Color of Hope Lipstick and I will spread the word to as many women as possible.
I am off to church later this morning and I will send special prayers for Korrine and all other pediatric cancer patients. It is so sad to think of our precious children suffering through such a terrible disease.
Keep fighting this cancer Korrine! We love you!
Cindy Vance
ON my way...I will even wear make up to find a cure!
Continued prayers,
Liz
What an easy way to help. Thanks Dana.
Hi Korrine,
I hope you have all been able to stay comfortabale in the heat. Maybe you've even been in a pool!
You are welcome to use our pool anytime. Warning however, it is NOT heated! But o so refreshing! Loves, hugs and endless hope!
The Esmeyers
Hi Croghans!
You have done so much to educate us all... by sharing your journey. I know many people are taking their health more seriously!
Our thoughts, prayers and positive energy are flowing your way!
hugs and love, kathy t.
I do believe the last time I bought a tube of lipstick was for my wedding to your Cousin, Kyle, ten years ago. But, for you, I'll go and buy the Color of Hope lipstick ASAP! Hey, it's our tenth anniversary in a month or so ... maybe I'll wear it then! :) I'll leave a big smooch mark on Kyle's bald head so he can join in the Color of Hope celebration as well! :)
XOXOXOXOXO
Debra Brumbaugh
Happy Monday!
Thinking of you and hoping that you have a wonderful, cooler, day today and get to do many of things that you love!! I'm off for my morning walk and then chores, but wanted to pop in before I took off.
Enjoy your day!
Love,
Sue
I watched the SUFC show and was blown away, even if most of the time, I spent in tears. My sister is fighting a battle with stage 4 fallopian tube cancer (pretty much the same as ovarian cancer). She is in a test program at a women's hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. We must fight this disease until it is no more.
My sister's daughter is coming out to visit me and we will go in search of the L'Oreal lipstick. What a wonderful way to get $ for research. Thanks for passing on that info.
I read Korrine's blog daily and she is such an inspiration. Please know that the tri-valley community has the Croghan's in their prayers.
Mary Lou Wilson
Korrine...wow, look at all the pretty women wearing lipstick on your behalf! Count me in next time I'm at the store! Told my blogreaders to get some too!
Praying for you today! Love, Lorri
Happy monday Korrine. Hope the home schooling is going well for you. Megan's biggest adjustment has been realizing she has to take math all through Granada(and we thought this years geometry and alg.2 would do it). Math is not our favorite!! I am sending you wishes for a cooler week, a strong body, a light heart, continued smiles(I got my lipstick), and NO MATH HOMEWORK!!! julie gilmore
THANKS FOR ALL THE UPDATES. WE WILL GO SHOPPING FOR LIPSTICK..THE GIRLS ARE COMING FOR A SHORT VISIT AND THEY WILL ALSO BUY.
WE ARE ALL PRAYERFUL FOR KORRINE'S STEADY HEALING.
LOVE FROM IAN AND DEBBY AND GIRLS
Just wanted to send a quick note to you all to let you know I was thinking about you and say Happy Monday to you. Hope you had a good weekend and that this week will find you stronger and pain free. Hoping that the home schooling is going well and that you were able to get out some more, even in this crazy heat.
thinking about you everyday sweet girl and will never give up hope or prayer until you are cancer free.
Much love
Tamika Riddiough
Wow, Korrine, you and your family have come such a long way, and SOOO strong. We truly admire you guys and the strenth you continue to hold to beat this disease! We continue to pray for you all!
Lots of love and virtual hugs,
The Heinz Family
Well, since I looked so gorgeous with my new lipstick, my hubby decided we should go out to dinner! Low and behold, when we got to Chili's on Friday night, we got to color a chili pepper and donate money to Children's Cancer research at St. Jude's. So, at the East Elk Grove Chili's there is a Chili Pepper in Honor of Korrine! Beautiful new lipstick, a yummy dinner and the privilege of contributing to research for Children's Cancer. What a GREAT Friday we had! We love you much, Korrine!
Blessings,
Jack, Arla & Mary
Hey Team KC... go eat at Chili's and color a chili pepper..... it's for the fight we are in for our Korrine!
always thinking of you great uncle rog love and prayers
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