By Jennifer L. Boen, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Jun. 25–Emilija Lapas’ interests are wide and imaginative. She loves to make up games to play with her three brothers one day, go swimming the next and sit quietly in a corner afterward reading a book. This summer, however, the Fort Wayne 12-year-old is in a real-life battle with cancer.
Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2005, Emilija underwent chemotherapy and radiation and was declared in remission until last fall. Doctors found malignant cells had spread to her spine. She had surgery, more chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplants, in which her stem cells — generic cells that can be used to replace a variety of damaged cells — were harvested and filtered, then put back into her with the goal of replacing the cancerous ones. The second stem cell transplant took place about a month ago. Now she needs more than two months of radiation treatments to her brain and spine.
Friends and fellow parishioners of Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, where the Lapas family attends, have organized several fundraisers for Emilija and her family to offset medical-related expenses.
Those who know Emilija have seen her beliefs remain strong, no matter what she has faced, said her parents, Vilius and Paulette Lapas.
“She has a strong faith and loves going to Mass,” Vilius Lapas said. “Emilija’s illness has tested her character, and she has proved herself to be a strong, resilient and brave young lady.”
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