Sybrina

The common cold.  A fever bug.  Even a broken arm.  They are all things that disrupt our lives and certainly not things we want to happen to our children.  I catch myself often thinking that the cold I've had now for two weeks is wearing me down, or I get frustrated when I see that Ryan has yet another cold.  But in reality, my family is lucky--lucky that this is the worst that it's gotten.

Sybrina was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2009 at the age of 14. The year of 2010 consisted of her undergoing six months of outpatient chemotherapy. When that did not kill the cancer, she underwent two, one-week sessions of inpatient chemotherapy. Sybrina's parents stayed for one week at a time at Duke Hospital while she received around-the-clock chemotherapy. When that did not kill the cancer, the Oncology team brought in the transplant team, and the decision was made to perform a stem cell transplant. Sybrina stayed quarantined for 18 days at Duke Hospital while family rotated staying with her in the hospital ward. She had her 15th birthday party in the 5200 hall of Duke Hospital. 

Once Sybrina was released, she underwent 30 days of radiation. Throughout the year, Sybrina underwent seven surgeries along with the treatments all while keeping up her studies. When she finished all of her treatments on Nov. 30, 2010, she was considered on track to graduate with her class. 

The next several months Sybrina stayed at home doing online classes due to her compromised immune system. In Feb. 2011, Sybrina re-entered Wake Forest Rolesville High School where she completed the 10th grade.  She started going to Duke Children's hospital every three months to monitor her recovery. Her Oncology team was very pleased at the results showing there were no live tumors. Sybrina started her junior year of high school in August 2011. 

Unfortunately, in November of 2011 the news came that her cancer had returned. In Feb. 2012 after sitting down with her Oncology team, her family was told there were no other treatments available. The decision was made that to contact Duke Children's Hospital when Sybrina becomes sick and they will offer drugs to treat the symptoms to give her quality of life for as long as she has. 

Sybrina is now 16 years old and full of life and is a huge inspiration, showing determination and love of life in all things she does.When asked what she could do if given the opportunity, she chooses to travel to Europe and specifically to Paris, France.  

Sybrina is the daughter of Josh's coworker and friend.  I always knew that my husband was not only selfless but a man who would do anything to help a friend.  But even I was caught off guard by what he came to me proposing to do.  A few months ago, he suggested that he do a fund raiser to raise money to send Sybrina and her mother to Europe.  Two months down the line, he has contacted travel agents, multiple vendors across the area for donations of door prizes and services, arranged the design and printing of fliers and raffle tickets, and spoke at the The Blue Knights Motorcycle Club to arrange for the raffle to be held at their annual event in June.  He has been the coordinator of it all, and I could not be more gracious to be married to such a caring person.  

Imagine you, as a parent, knowing that your child will pass.  Knowing that she'll never marry or have kids.  Through this raffle, we can help bring a young teenager's life dream come true.  Will you consider helping?

We’re trying to send Sybrina and her mother, Brenda, to Europe for several weeks. To do this, we need to raise approximately $30,000. If any money is left over after the trip is paid for, it will be donated to Duke Children’s Hospital. We are accepting donations, and we are also holding a raffle.

Donations can be sent to:

J.R. LeConey

Wake Forest Police Department

225 South Taylor Street

Wake Forest, NC 27587

Make checks payable to Wake County FOP Lodge 41 Sybrina Fund.

If anyone is interested in raffle tickets, you can contact Josh through email.  Tickets can be mailed.

Jleconey@wakeforestnc.gov 

Tickets are $5 per ticket. The prizes are:

1st prize-Del-Ton AR15 rifle donated by Del-Ton-Eagle One in Raleigh donated their services to transfer the AR to the new owner

2nd prize-Apple Ipad 2 donated by Wal-Mart

3rd prize-Dewalt power tool combo set donated by Lowes Home Improvement

4th prize-Brinkman gas/charcoal/smoker grill donated by Home Depot

5th prize-Lowes brand mulch (1 pallet, approx 75 bags) donated by Oldcastle

6th prize-Three month membership to Rex Healthcare Gym donated by Rex

Drawing will be 6/2/12 at Ray Price Harley Davidson in Raleigh, NC.

Winners do not need to be present to win the prizes.

Tickets will be sold until the drawing.

For words of encouragement to Sybrina, send emails to Sybrinafundraiser@gmail.com