Maddie's Hope helps cancer research
With her granddaughter as inspiration, a Trenton woman creates nonprofit to raise awareness, money.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
HAMILTON — It's 194 days and counting.
That's how long it's been since Madelyn "Maddie" Dulle received her own stem cells in a transfusion and began her new life without cancer. The 7-year-old was diagnosed at age 3 with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Since then, Maddie has endured two rounds of chemotherapy treatments, endless hospital visits and several bouts with high fevers and other ailments.
Extras
For Denise Dulle of Trenton, watching her granddaughter suffer with the disease convinced her to get involved with raising awareness and funds for cancer research. That decision led to Maddie's Hope, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the American Cancer Society, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
For three years, Dulle has been organizing potluck lunches at her work in the Government Center in Hamilton.
The lunches are one of several small yearly fundraisers that help pay for a country fair at Dulle's farm, at 3306 Oxford-Middletown Road in Trenton. This year's fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 17.
Dulle, who works for the Butler County Department of Environmental Services, said Maddie went on a trip to Disney World through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She said the foundation paid attention to every detail.
"If we can give back a little every year, another kid has that opportunity," Dulle said.
For periodic updates on Maddie's health or to find out how you can help, visit maddieshope.org.
