Eighteen-year-old Ceili made the decision this week to stop cancer treatments.
Ceili (pronounced Kay-Lee) and Fairy Godmother Project Executive Director Andi McConnell were on “Town Talk” Tuesday, Sept. 1, to discuss Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Ceili, a James Monroe High School graduate, developed Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as a secondary cancer, resulting from a drug used to fight her first cancer. She told Town Talk Host Ted Schubel that faced with painful treatments and no success in fighting the cancer, she decided to spend the rest of her life with family and friends at home.
“As Ceili shared her journey, we asked her about plans for her last days,” Schubel said. “She told us seeing the Rockies with her family was a goal. She cannot fly commercially because of recycled air and her weakened immune system.”
Word of Ceili’s wish began to spread through WFVA listeners and the interview podcast posted on newstalk1230.net. A Facebook posting Wednesday on sister station B101.5 FM resulted in over 2,000 shares. The Fairy Godmother Project fielded offers and ideas all day. By Wednesday night, a pilot and plane had been found. Thursday morning, money for the fuel came in. Lodging and food for the family while they are in Colorado has also been donated, Schubel said.
“Thank you to everyone who shared this story in whatever form,” Schubel said. “You all made a difference and will give the family an indescribable memory. And you have again made a statement about this community.”
Jennifer Reynolds with the Fairy Godmother Project will review the events of the week at about 7:20 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, with Dee Daniels on B101.5. Then she’ll join Ted Schubel on the first segment of Town Talk at 8:05 a.m. You can listen live at 1230 AM or on your computer at the Listen Live tab on the website.
The Fairy Godmother Project is a Fredericksburg-based nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of every day life for local families who have a child in treatment for a form of pediatric cancer.
Andie McConnell formed Fairy Godmother Project in 2011 after befriending a local family who had a child with cancer. Through a survey of other families in similar situations, McConnell learned that they all need help with daily household tasks and with taking care of their other children.
If you would like to help, visit the Fairy Godmother Project website at http://www.fairygodmotherproject.org/ or call 540-645-4282.
Correction: An earlier version of this story reported a supporting chapter was created in Richmond in January 2012. That is not correct. There is no Richmond chapter, according to Jennifer Reynolds of the Fairy Godmother Project.
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