Meet Penelope Rai: Our little warrior
Hello! We created the Penelope Neuroblastoma Foundation to honour the memory of our daughter, Penelope Rai. This is her story.
The fateful day
On February 16, 2016, our world was forever changed. Just one month before her second birthday, our beautiful daughter Penelope was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma. The word "cancer" is terrifying, but hearing it applied to your child is an unimaginable shock. For Penelope, the survival rate was less than 40%, but that did not deter her from fighting with everything she had.
A battle like no other
Neuroblastoma is a silent killer, often undetected until it has spread to other parts of the body. By the time Penelope was diagnosed, the disease had infiltrated nearly every bone in her body, even embedding itself in her bone marrow. Despite this, Penelope endured an aggressive and heartbreaking treatment regimen, bravely facing dozens of rounds of chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, stem-cell transplants, radiation, and immunotherapies.
Penelope spent more than two calendar years in the hospital—away from home, from the outdoors, from school, and from her sister and friends. Yet, through it all, her spirit remained unbroken, her smile ever present.
A rollercoaster of hope and heartache
Penelope’s journey was filled with highs and lows. Just when we thought we had made progress, the disease would take a devastating turn. After a month on life support following her stem-cell transplant, we were devastated to learn that the cancer had spread to her brain. Seventeen tumors. The doctors at SickKids told us that no treatment options were left.
But we still had hope. We sought out more treatment options and a possible cure at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. For the next year, we pursued every available option, fighting every step of the way.
Forever in our hearts
On January 6, 2019, after nearly three years of courage and determination, Penelope passed away. Her battle ended, but her legacy lives on. Penelope’s spirit inspires us every day to continue the fight against neuroblastoma. It is for her and the countless other children affected by this disease that we established the Penelope Neuroblastoma Foundation.
Why we fight
Penelope’s story is a powerful reminder of why our work is so important. Neuroblastoma is the most common and deadly solid tumor cancer outside of the brain in children. It takes an army of doctors, researchers, and supporters to make progress against this relentless disease. Through the Penelope Neuroblastoma Foundation, we are committed to funding research, raising awareness, and supporting other families so that no parent ever has to hear, “There is nothing more we can do for your child.”
Please join us in honouring Penelope’s legacy.
Penelope’s bravery and joy continue to inspire everyone who hears her story. By supporting our mission, to bring hope to other children and families fighting neuroblastoma, you can help ensure that her legacy of love and courage lives on.
Penelope’s light will never dim, and with your help, we can turn her story into one of hope for countless others. Join us today and be a part of Penelope's legacy.
