Who:

Keshinae McFarlane; three-year-old patient; Nicole Brown, Keshinae’s mother; families of children with pediatric cancer and sickle cell anemia treated at Holtz

What:

Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center is hosting an indoor BBQ to celebrate children who are battling different types of pediatric cancer and sickle cell anemia.

When Nicole Brown noticed that her baby Keshinae had a bump on the left side of her abdomen and a high fever, she immediately rushed her to a hospital near their home in Jamaica. Soon after, she received devastating news – Keshinae, then just a few months shy of her second birthday, had liver cancer.

“It was very hard and painful to get that type of news,” said Nicole. “My world completely shattered, and I kept wondering why she was going through this.”
Shortly after the diagnosis, Keshinae and her mother then traveled to Miami for treatment at Holtz Children’s Hospital. A biopsy confirmed that the baby had hepatoblastoma – a very rare type of primary liver cancer that usually affects young children.

At first, doctors thought Keshinae would need a liver transplant, but after 13 surgeries her liver has been able to regenerate.

“Even through all her treatments, Keshinae has continued to be a happy, active little girl,” her mother Nicole said. “She is truly a miracle.”

Keshinae is continuing chemotherapy treatments, and may need a few more surgeries in the future. She will celebrate her third birthday on Saturday.

Other current and former patients will also share stories, play games and celebrate their survival with their former caregivers.

When:

September 26, 2015, 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Where:

Jackson Memorial Hospital
Ira C. Clark Treatment Center
Room 259
In the corner of 12th avenue and N.W. 19th street

Editor’s Note:

Media can park outside of DTC
*Media availability from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m

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Jackson Health System
1611 N.W. 12th Avenue Miami, FL 33136