Katia was healthy, or so her parents thought, until she hit her head in January of 2002 and had severe swelling around her eye. Doctors discovered a tumor.After several tests, doctors discovered that she actually had Leukemia.

Since April, 2002, Katia has spent about 90% of her life in the hospital for chemo treatments or infections.

She went into remission for a while, but she relapsed in September of 2003. In January of 2004, she had surgery to remove a lobe of one of her lungs.

She had a bone marrow transplant in February of 2004. She's been on steroids since the transplant and her immune system is still very suppressed. She's battling Graft vs. Host Disease, so she can't go to school and is homebound.

Katia was chosen "Girl of the Year" for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and appeared in "USA Today."

Her family is grateful for the cards, prayers, and concern that so many have sent them.

For email and snail mail addresses, personal web site URL, medical fund information, and a current list of interests and hobbies, visit our "Kids List" page.

For CURRENT UPDATES visit our updates page.