Margie's Story
September 22, 1984 to October 8, 2002
(August 2002) Margie Rutkowski was diagnosed with Leukemia in September 2001, three weeks after returning from Tennessee to live with her Mom in Charlotte NC. She came to North Carolina with hopes of completing her senior year and having a fresh start as she prepared to enter adulthood. Without preparation she and her family was suddenly faced with a frightening diagnosis of CANCER. Margie was immediately placed on an intensive regimen of chemotherapy which involved multiple hospitalizations. Since the onset of her illness, Margie has been unable to attend school. She had been working, part time at the local Pizza Hut to help support her family, but was forced to give up her job when she learned she would be facing a bone marrow transplant. Still, this brave little girl is hopping to be able to return to her job, at least on limited bases, as working gives her a feeling of being able to contribute to her family needs. Margie's single Mom works three jobs to maintain the family and Margie's medical eexpenses.
Throughout her ordeal, this courageous young lady continues to maintain a positive attitude and has extended herself to provide support to other kids in the hospital who also face cancer.
Margie's favorite musical group is 'The Dave Matthews Band', and has attended several of the bands concerts, the most recent one, last May. Her favorite foods are "quesadillas" and "breaded chicken parmesan".
She really loves her computer and loves working on it while listening to "The Dave Matthews Band".
Margie received her 'bone marrow transplant' at Duke Children's Hospital on July 23, 2002. Her brother, Tim was her donor. Her WBC's (white blood cells) showed themselves around day 16 of the transplant and keep increasing in number as each new day passes. Everyday Margie grows more and more hopeful that she will achieve her ultimate goal which is to attend UNC-Wilmington, NC to study 'Theatre Arts' and 'Drama'.
We hope that someday we will see Margie on our TV screens as she goes forward to practice her trade without any worry of cancer.
JHC is saddened to update you that on October 8, 2002 Margie lost her battle with Leukemia, please see our Farewell to Margie.
