9-Year-Old Girl From Mount Greenwood Battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Emily Beazley's 8th birthday was celebrated with a big party last year. Born with a condition called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, doctors said that by age 8, Emily would outgrow the side effects from that condition. Emily fought through that ordeal, and was finally living the life of an average girl. Then, on April 7, 2011, everything changed. A diagnosis of stage III T-Cell Lymphoblastic Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a very aggressive cancer, forced Emily to face yet another life threatening challenge in her young life.

According to her parents, Ed and Nadia Beazley of Mount Greenwood, Emily has fought with courage and grace.

In the past year, Emily now 9, has been hospitalized several times and undergone many treatments including chemotherapy. She frequently cannot attend school at Mt. Greenwood Elementary due to her compromised immunity. Friends and family have been a tremendous support, but Emily will face a lifetime of medical bills, even after her 30-months of daily chemotherapy ends in the fall of 2013.

Treatment is hard on children, and almost two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors will develop at least one medical issue later in their lives. With early diagnosis and proper follow-up care, many of these later effects can be successfully treated.

To help cover the costs of medical treatment, the friends and family of Emily Beazley will host Emily’s Entourage, a benefit, Fri., Oct. 5, 7 p.m. to midnight, 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park.

The $30 donation in advance or $40 at the door includes full buffet; beer, wine and soft drinks; raffles and silent auction; and entertainment by the Hey Jimmy Band, Audiomatic and the Chicago Police Pipe and Drums.

For more information about Emily and ways to support the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.emilysentourage.com.