Missy Brogan is counting on friendship, family and faith to help her and her toddler son win his fight with cancer.

Kirin Brogan, 21 months old, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer, a fast-spreading cancer that attacks bone, liver, lymph nodes and skin.

Missy first noticed a small lump on her son’s neck on Thursday, June 10. She made an appointment with the pediatrician for Monday, June 14. By that time, the lump had grown to the size of a golf ball and when the pediatrician found another large lump in Kirin’s abdomen, he was admitted to Toledo Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy. He was recently transferred to University Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland where doctors are harvesting his stem cells. He has not been home since the diagnosis.

Neuroblastoma cancer attacks immature nerve cells and when it reaches stage 4, the survival rate is 30 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Missy is meeting this newest challenge in her life with the help of her mother, Windy; her mother’s friend Gidget and the members of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church in Walbridge. It’s not the only challenge she’s faced in her young life. Missy gave birth to Kirin at the start of her junior year in high school. She was 16. She missed only one month of school and successfully juggled the responsibility of being a single mom with her course load. Missy, now 18, graduated this spring. She hopes to attend college to become a commercial photographer. 

Kirin has undergone two five-day chemotherapy sessions. He has blood drawn every other day, various medicines administered regularly and is under constant monitoring. Because of the aggressive treatment regiment and Kirin’s age a family member needs to be with him at all times. Missy’s mother, Windy, resigned her position as assistant child care director at The Catholic Club to help provide the 24-7 care. Besides, she couldn’t risk bringing home an infection from daycare as Kirin’s immune system is weak.

Together, Windy and Missy are trying to give Kirin as normal a life as possible. He is a typical active mischievous toddler and, in a way, that is the hardest thing to deal with. Windy says, “That’s the worst part of it all. He doesn’t act sick. He doesn’t look sick. But, he has this.”

Windy, 42, also a single mom, has two other children at home, a daughter, 20, and a son, 14. She has cashed in her 401-k and is using her savings to support her family. After she sees Missy and Kirin through this crisis, she will continue her schooling to obtain a four-year degree in early childhood education.

Windy’s friend and coworker Gidget Losiewicz came to the aid of her friend in need. She called on her church, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, to host a prayer night for the family and she has raised funds to help with traveling costs. Insurance, through Medicaid, should cover most medical costs, Windy says, although she has yet to see any bills. And, the family is staying at the Ronald McDonald House while in Cleveland so housing costs are covered.

The family’s plight also touched Rebecca Verdugo, wife of Lighthouse Pastor George Verdugo. She has organized a benefit for Friday and Saturday (Aug. 13 and 14) at the Walbridge church. The event will include a rummage sale, food tent and family activities. The Lighthouse Christian Band will perform a concert of contemporary Christian music Saturday at 6 p.m.

“They just touch our hearts right now. We want to be there for the family. We know it’s financially difficult for them and we want to be an example for them and for God,” she said.

After the family returns from Cleveland this weekend, Kirin will go to Toledo Children’s Hospital for another round of chemotherapy. He will return in November to University Hospital for 30 to 90 days to undergo a stem-cell transplant. The funds raised at the benefit will help with transportation costs for the two. Missy will need to shuttle back and forth to her job as a bagger at the Perrysburg Kroger store and Windy to meet her responsibilities for her two other children.
    
The event will take place Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 9-5. Activities include face painting, manicures, a bake sale and a rummage sale. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Lighthouse is located at the corner of Guy and Grove in Walbridge. For more information, call Rebecca Verdugo at 419-704-1266.

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