6-Year-Old Girl with Brain Cancer Hid Love Notes for Her Parents to Find After Her Death
Posted by Alex in Baby & Kids, Medicine on November 4, 2009 at 1:39 am
When 6-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer, she began hiding hundreds of little love notes around the house for her parents to find after she was gone. Here’s the story:
Just before her sixth birthday, Elena Desserich (right) was diagnosed with brain cancer and given 135 days to live. She lived 255 days, passing away in 2007. After her death, Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith, found hundreds of notes from Elena hidden around the house — in between CD cases, between bookshelves, in dresser drawers, in backpacks….
"It just felt like a little hug from her, like she was telling us she was looking over us"
See more of Elena’s notes
Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, have now published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer.
Link to story (book excerpt) over at Today | The Love Notes | Official Website
Ah, this broke my heart, but the story is too touching not to share. Excuse me while I, erhm, dry my eyes. Got dust in ‘em or something.
Go to this website to see pictures of these notes
http://neatorama.cachefly.net/notes-left-behind.htm
__________________________
Bookmark/Search this post with:
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
yes and on the site i gto it from everybody is commenting that this is a hoax..well hoax or not the money for the books are going to a good cause at least
Must admit, this IS kinda heart-warming.
__________________________
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on" - Winston Churchill
yes and on the site i gto it from everybody is commenting that this is a hoax..well hoax or not the money for the books are going to a good cause at least
Really? I wonder if it really is or someone made up a rumor.
I wish it is true, it sounds like a nice little girl, and it's possible for dying children to feel sorrow for what their parents will go through after their children are gone.
__________________________
Change is a beautiful thing! 
Reminds me a bit of "PS, I love you". But whether it is a true or not, it definitely is a very sweet story and as long as the money goes to a good cause...
Something very special and unusual I would say.
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
__________________________
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
That was my first reaction when I read it too.
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
That was my first reaction when I read it too.
Well at the site they showed a couple letters she wrote..Its basically scribbles..And names..and some i love you mommy and daddy type stuff..shes 6 so makes her what 1st grade. We learn to write in kindergarten. I mean anybody who 6 can do the drawings/writings she did. 
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
Who am I to dispute that? 
However, kids are much sharper Downunder! The daughter of some very good friends of mine is 6 and she is quite able to read, draw and write...... also very good at cheating when playing flamin' Wii 
Like Grapes sez, they learn this stuff at pre-school. (kindergarton)
Maybe the story is true and so nice if it is! 
Saw the news item on telly, but there has been a couple of scams recently, (eg...boy in balloon) so one never knows how true this story really is!
that's so touching. it reminds me of another book called 1 Litre of Tears, which was a diary written by Aya Kitou who was terminally ill with spinocerebellar atrophy. she was diagnosed with it at age 14 and died at the age of 25, but she wrote a diary during those years, which was eventually published.
Yes-I have to admit it choked me up when I heard this story on the News-it's heart wrenching and beautiful.........
What else is there to say...?
Karl
This is very touching...
I believe it's true but for those that do think it's a hoax, is it so hard to believe something like this can be possible? My nephew is about to turn 5 and he's already got his abcs down and everything.. Its for a good cause anyhow.
__________________________
All women are BEAUTIFUL!
That's nice. She left something to her parents that they can remember her by.
__________________________
When destiny calls, you have to be strong.
♥coffeewithkim♥
just so nice story...love it.
So beautiful. It must be in my wish list!!
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
Umm, really?
__________________________
Change is a beautiful thing!
Not sure here but Dutch kids do not know how to read and write much at that age.
Umm, really?
ummm yeah, cuz they only start learning to read and write at 5/6. And usually brain cancer doesnt help in that field...
__________________________
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire
Wow, that is one of the best stories I've heard, ever. What a lovely little girl.
__________________________
Not just the front page
Best fan letter EVAH!
This was also very touching.
Change is a beautiful thing!