This is the story of Joni, a brave little girl who is fighting cancer for the last couple of years. She was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer when she was just 5 years old.
She has had multiple courses of chemotherapy, stem cell treatment, blood transfusions and a major operation to remove her right thigh bone and replace it with a metal bone.
After being in remission for 15 months, the cancer has returned. Joni has now been given a diagnosis of relapsed Ewing's sarcoma. She has restarted chemotherapy. But as there is no set protocol for treatment of relapsed Ewing's sarcoma, the future for Joni is uncertain.
Her parents, Holly and Kevin Stevens, are trying to raise as much money for her as they can in the hope that they can go overseas for treatment if and when it is needed. They need all the help and support they can get.
This is where my friend Deepali, comes into the picture. Deepali met Joni's mum Holly, who works at her local gym. Deepali, along with a bunch of regulars at Kearns Gym are doing their bit to fund-raise for Joni. They are going to jump out of a plane in a sky-dive next Sunday. All for the love of Joni.
Deepali has so far managed to raise half of her target of £1200. It was not easy. She has had hard-hearted moneyed 'friends' turning a cold-shoulder to the appeal. She has had people 'unfriend' her on Facebook because they thought she was spamming them when she made her appeal.
But Deepali has stood her ground. She continues in stead-fast support of her beliefs. She continues to be as generous and kind-hearted as I have always known her to be. She will be jumping out of that plane come Sunday, and has promised to share her photos with us.
It really does not take much. A few pounds could go a long way in the grand scheme of things. If you find it in your heart to donate For the Love of Joni, here is Deepali's fund-raising page.
You can read more about Joni's story on her Facebook page.
She has had multiple courses of chemotherapy, stem cell treatment, blood transfusions and a major operation to remove her right thigh bone and replace it with a metal bone.
Her parents, Holly and Kevin Stevens, are trying to raise as much money for her as they can in the hope that they can go overseas for treatment if and when it is needed. They need all the help and support they can get.
This is where my friend Deepali, comes into the picture. Deepali met Joni's mum Holly, who works at her local gym. Deepali, along with a bunch of regulars at Kearns Gym are doing their bit to fund-raise for Joni. They are going to jump out of a plane in a sky-dive next Sunday. All for the love of Joni.
Deepali has so far managed to raise half of her target of £1200. It was not easy. She has had hard-hearted moneyed 'friends' turning a cold-shoulder to the appeal. She has had people 'unfriend' her on Facebook because they thought she was spamming them when she made her appeal.
But Deepali has stood her ground. She continues in stead-fast support of her beliefs. She continues to be as generous and kind-hearted as I have always known her to be. She will be jumping out of that plane come Sunday, and has promised to share her photos with us.
It really does not take much. A few pounds could go a long way in the grand scheme of things. If you find it in your heart to donate For the Love of Joni, here is Deepali's fund-raising page.
You can read more about Joni's story on her Facebook page.
Thank you for sharing Joni's story. The attitude of Deepali's friends is shocking. She is doing so well to continue fund raising despite negativity for others. Good luck x
ReplyDeleteStories like this are such a wake up call, Deepali sounds like a wonderful friend to have #MagicMoments
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful lady Deepali is, and what a lovely friend you are for supporting her when others aren't. Have donated, lots of love xx
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much for your support. It feels lovely to know that there are so many wonderful people out there. xxx
DeletePoor little lady! So brace. Thank you for sharing her story x
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what people can achieve when they set their minds to it- well done to your friend for standing up and making a difference x
ReplyDeleteGood luck with raising the money, and wishing all the best to Joni
ReplyDeleteJoni sounds like a very brave girl, and Deepali a wonderful woman. Hope the skydive goes well x
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to your friend for carrying out such an amazing charity event.
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
What a wonderful friend you have :) I hope Joni's prognosis improves soon. xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your friend, I am not so sure I am that brave.
ReplyDeleteSuch a brave little girl and it amazes me how cold people can be.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that there are people like Deepali who are prepared to go to such lengths for someone they don't really know. Best of luck to her and for little Joni. x
ReplyDeleteSuch a brave little girl. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteGosh this must be dreadful for Joni's family given she's been in remission. They're so brave kids aren't they, just look at that smile. What your friend is doing is so thoughtful, incredible that some of her friends are not supporting her. Thank you for sharing with #whatsthestory
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous and couragious brave young lady , keep it up hun, best of look to your friend x
ReplyDeleteAll the best with the fund raising, she sounds so brave.
ReplyDeletesuch a brave little girl! i find it shocking when people, supposed friends or family do nothing to help.
ReplyDeleteWell done to your friend for supporting this family, wonderful. I hope that Joni's treatment is successful x #WhatstheStory
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing friend you have, to keep going despite such criticism when all she is asking for is support for someone else! I've had my own run-ins with friends over campaigning for causes I care about and it really hard to deal with such attitudes - so kudos to Deepali and good luck for her jump! And good luck to Joni and her family too!
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like an inspirational girl and your friend is doing a great job raising money for such a great cause.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous little girl Joni is, and what an amazing person Deepali is!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely, brave little girl
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little lady - I wish your friend every success in her fund raising
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and brave girl x so many amazing people out there always willing to help others so heartwarming x
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and beautiful young lady - good luck to your friend in her fund raising efforts :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Joni's story and good luck to your friend
ReplyDeletewww.mummy2monkeys.co.uk
Good luck to your friend with all their fundraising efforts and best wishes to Joni - love her choice of wig! Will share this post too so hopefully more people donate. x
ReplyDeletegood luck with the fund raising
ReplyDeleteHow horrid people can be. Well done for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post and so sad that people have become so cynical and hard hearted. May God Bless this little girl and I truly hope the money is raised xx #magicmoments #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteI'd be very proud to call Deepali a friend, you must be too, She is doing amazing things for that beautiful little girl.
ReplyDeleteIt's always so lovely to hear of such wonderful people in the world. Well done Deepali and the best of luck to Joni
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave little girl, and how proud you must be of your friend to help fundraise for her. Good luck to her cause, and well wishes to Joni too x
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful strong girl Joni is.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the sky dive and i hope your friend meets the target soon.
Best wishes x
modelmummy
What a great cause - thanks for sharing x x
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing her story. It breaks my heart when I hear of children being so ill. I hope they can raise the money to help her.
ReplyDelete