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About The Fund |
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| The families of Emily Barger and Maddie Harrill established the Butterfly Fund at the East Tennessee Foundation in memory of their daughters. Both of these beautiful little girls were diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, in 2007. Sadly, both of these girls passed away just weeks apart during the summer of 2008. The Butterfly Fund supports research, treatment and services dedicated to the defeat of childhood cancers. Here are the facts about childhood cancer and why the Butterfly Fund continues its work. |
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| Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer |
1 in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20 |
| The mortality rate is 25% within 5 years of diagnosis |
Cancer is the #1 disease killer of American's children |
| 12,600 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. this year |
80% of children have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis |
Children who survive their cancer are not off the hook. Post-treatment side effects include heart failure and heart disease, secondary cancers, hearing loss, cataracts and infertility. One third of the survivors have moderate to severe experiences with these side effects. Many often are unable to obtain adequate heath coverage as a result of the cancer experience. The devastation of childhood cancer is far reaching and impacts all of us.
The objective of the fund is to raise money to support local, regional and national pediatric cancer research, treatments and services, including East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Donations can be sent to the following: East Tennessee Foundation • 625 Market Square • Suite 1400 Knoxville, TN 37902 Please include "The Butterfly Fund" on your check. |
About Our Girls
Emily Barger and Maddie Harrill both fought against this disease with courage and grit amazing everyone around them. Visit their pages on this web site and view their tribute videos to learn more about these special girls.
Please check back frequently for updates. Thank you for your care and concern. Your support of this research means a great deal to many families.