Elise Goertz is a seven year old little girl here in Cypress who has been fighting Leukemia for over 4 years.  All of Elise's medical options have been exhausted and now, following two bone marrow transplants, she has been diagnosed with Hemoytic anemia and Leukemia has been found in her bone marrow. 

Elise's one wish is to go to Disney World.  The PATH Student Ministries of Cypress United Methodist Church is working with Bethany Kram, Elise's mother, to try and make Elise's wish come true.  What follows is Elise's story in the words of her mother. 

"My name is Bethany Kram.  I am the mother of 7 year old, Elise Goertz.  Elise has been fighting Leukemia for over 4 years.  She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on August 17, 2004.  Elise was 3 years old. 

She started Chemotherapy and everything was going great.  She relapsed in February of 2006.  That was 17 months after her original diagnosis.  She relapsed in her spinal fluid.  Our only option was a bone marrow transplant.  My son, Michael Goertz, was a perfect match for Elise's marrow.  He was her first bone marrow donor.

Everything was great for about a year, but Elise's cancer came back.  This time it came back in the pleural cavity of her right lung.  This is extremely rare and the doctors were doubtful about getting Elise in remission so we could do another bone marrow transplant.  We got her in remission and found an unrelated donor to give Elise another chance to fight. 

The second transplant was a lot harder than the first.  After a 45 day stay in the hospital we were able to come home.  Elise started the first grade and things seemed to be moving along.  September 29 marked a day of transition.  Elise was diagnosed with Hemolytic anemia.  This is common for kids with second transplants.

During a routine bone marrow biopsy to check and make sure everything was okay, they found Leukemia cells.  Elise has relapsed for a third time. 

We are all devastated.  We have not told Elise yet.  We are trying to get her to Disney World.  Throughout all of her treatment and setbacks we kept saying we would get there.  Now, we have to get there.  Elise cannot have another transplant and there is no more treatment for her.

Our family would appreciate any help from anyone.  I try not to think about the time I won't get to share with Elise.  I choose to focus on the time we have had and the time we have left.  Our family will accept any help to make Elise's trip to Disney World the best trip anyone has ever taken. 

Thank you,

Bethany Kram"

The PATH Sudent Ministries will be collecting donations for the KRAM family to help make their Christmas wish come true. 

If you feel led to give a special gift this Christmas, bring your donation to the church office - at Cypress United Methodist Church - by December 12th.  God Bless You All!  Please make checks payable to Bethany Kram.  For more info or questions, please contact Christie at 281.469.0730 or via email at catnip@cypress-umc.org

Cypress United Methodist Church is located at 13403 Cypress North Houston Road in Cypress.  www.cypress-umc.org

Publisher's Note: 

This is the time of year when we all focus on giving.  I cannot imagine a more gracious or loving gift than to help this brave little girl's wish come true by helping to send her and her family to Disney World.  In the true Spirit of Christmas please look into your hearts and give what you can.