Karlita Martin

"It happened so fast," note the parents of Karlita Martin, "One day we had a healthy five-year-old girl. The next day, we had a five-year old daughter who had been diagnosed with cancer."

Carl and Linda were so proud of their little girl. She was entering elementary school for the first time, fitting in so well with her kindergarten classmates, mastering the challenges of reading and writing. Their pride and wonder would only increase as they watched their daughter battle Wilms tumor and then liver failure with courage and determination.

Wilms tumor, a cancer of the kidney, is usually diagnosed when a parent discovers an abdominal mass. For Karlita, her mom found blood in her daughter’s urine. "Immediately, we went to the pediatrician and a few hours later we were at the emergency room," said Linda. Within days, Karlita had surgery to remove her kidney. Six months of chemotherapy and radiation were suppose to follow surgery, but Karlita didn’t make it through her treatment. Her liver failed and she was rushed to Pittsburgh, PA, for a transplant. She rejected the first liver transplant and doctors thought Karlita was too ill to undergo a second. But through the perseverance of her parents and a bit of luck, Karlita did get a second chance at life. Carl and Linda had made friends with another family in the hospital waiting room, the parents of a 13-year-old Pennsylvania boy, critically injured in a traffic accident. When the young man died from his injuries, his parents insisted his liver go to Karlita. This time she made it.

"Karlita was given a second chance because of the remarkable generosity of the Mc Cready family. We can never thank them enough."

The Martins say it was a long time before Karlita got better, but slowly – steadily she did. "The annual check-ups at Roswell Park are a comfort because they reassure us our daughter continues to be healthy. Through everything, we held on tight to our faith and family."

Today, the Martins are a typical Buffalo family. Karlita is an active sixth grade student at the Enterprise Charter School who especially enjoys singing in the church choir and loves to draw.

The Martin family’s message of hope for the holidays: "Even though hope seems to be gone, never give up, always fight for life. You won’t be sorry you gave it your all. Treasure each and every day with your family."