CHS Choir Director Seeking Help For Daughter's Brain Tumor

When Dave and Margie Dickerson celebrated their daughter Maari's final chemotherapy session in April, they thought she'd fully defeated her cancer. She could be free to play piano and participate in the Tacoma School District's gifted program.

Then came the news about a month later: the brain tumor had returned and was partially into her spine. She needed to return to Loma Linda, Calif. to receive the same proton radiation treatment that she'd had previously, one of the few centers in the United States to offer this kind of treatment. She has also received treatment at Mary Bridge Hospital.

According to University Place School District Superintendent Patti Banks, "this treatment is critical, urgent and very expensive."

Brain tumors like this, called rhabdomyosarcoma, wrap around the optic nerve in her right eye. Conventional radiation therapy is not healthy. Maari needs therapy that primarily radiates the tumor site, leaving surrounding sensitive tissues intact.

The Dickersons are now facing serious financial consequences from the treatment, including their travel expenses in California. Plus Margie has had to stop teaching piano for the time being to be with Maari, who is 10.

Banks is currently answering questions about Maari for the Dickersons.

"People come by the office and ask, 'How can I help?'" she said. "The best way people can help right now is providing financial assistance that is severely needed."

While checks should be made out to David Dickerson, Dave and Margie have authorized CHS parent/community member Laura Grealish and Banks to receive, record and account for all donations. You can mail, courier or drop off any contribution at the district office, marked to Banks' attention. 

There is an initial fundraising goal of $30,000. They will also seek contributions from the Tacoma School District, University Place Presbyterian and Chapel Hill Presbyterian churches. 

You can direct any questions, etc. to Patti Banks at 253-691-0643, or pbanks@upsd.wednet.edu, or Laura Grealish at 206-669-0858, or LGrealish@aol.com.

Mailing address: Patti Banks, University Place School District, 3717 Grandview Dr W., University Place, WA 98466