Prayers for friends needed - 7 year old loses battle with cancer

Albin Johnson, who created the 501st (the Star Wars club Andy and I belong too) lost his daughter Katie today after her long battle with cancer.

For Katie

You can read her story at the link above and leave condolences for her family via the guestbook.

If you continue to the main page, you'll see how we all chipped in (including Hayden Christensen and George Lucas) a little to try and brighten her spirits .

RIP Katie. :(

*edit* Thought I'd add this... (from the About Katie page)

Just a quick update to let you know that Katie's summer has been a fantastic one. In the last four weeks, following her Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World, Katie and her sisters have been very busy. Here are some highlights:

1 - Toni Sheridan of Make-A-Wish felt moved to help Katie realize some of the wishes she'd mentioned in her initial interview. One of them was to be a veterinarian. Toni set it up with a local vet to allow Katie to be vet for a day! Katie got to treat two dogs and a cat after hours, including doing bloodwork and full exams. Katie decided to skip the temperature-taking part, I don't know why :) She even got a graduation party and a diploma and a full set of scrubs all done in pink.



2nd edit to add letter from Albin

Quote:

---

From: Albin Johnson
To: 501st
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 7:46 AM
Subject: [501stLegionHQ] katie johnson


As some of you may have already heard, my daughter Katie finally ended
her battle with cancer on Tuesday when she passed away around 5:30 pm.
Katie's health had been declining so I began my leave of absence from
work that day, not knowing that would be the day she would pass. Katie
enjoyed a quiet morning with me and Kathy, watching t.v. and playing
with her kittens. She asked me to put Star Wars Episode II on, then laid
down to take a nap. Hours later she passed away in her sleep. She was
surrounded by both sets of parents, her oncologist, her hospice nurse,
and her pastor. It was a minor miracle that everyone managed to be there
at just the right time. I held Katie in my arms as she struggled with
her transformation, holding her close and reassuring her that it was
okay to let go. She let out a deep and satisfying sigh with her last
breath and it sounded just like when she was a baby. I must have held
her for two hours.

Katie's older sister, Allie, was devastated by the news. But she's a
trooper at heart and today she marched bravely to her first day of
school in spite of her loss. I asked her if she was sure she wanted to
go, and she said she had to - Katie had wanted to make the first day of
school and couldn't, so Allie would do it for her. Katie's step-mom,
Kathy, turned in the math book Katie worked so hard on over the summer.
It was a beautiful day. Katie had passed at just the right time -
waiting long enough to see Hilary Duff in person and seeing members of
the Carolina Garrison who visited her on Saturday. But soon enough for
Allie to have _just_ enough time to start fresh at school.

Katie's funeral will be held tomorrow, Friday August 12th, at Riverland
Hills Baptist Church on St. Andrews Rd.in Columbia, SC. Service will be
at 4 pm. Everyone who attends is encouraged to wear something pink, as
that is what Katie would have wanted.

This is the most horrible experience of my life, but it is also the most
incredible lesson I've had the privilege to witness. Katie fought cancer
every step of the way, never complaining about her treatments or her
disabilities. She was a plucky, wonderful child who told me she was not
afraid to die. A big fan of the LOTR character , Frodo, she remarked to
me a couple weeks ago that Frodo was lucky to go in the boat over the
seas to the undying lands, and likened that to real-world death. She
said that there was no reason to cry, because over there there are no
monsters and whoever goes over is happy and too busy having fun to miss
those they left behind.

God was at work here, no matter what anyone says. Katie had two fathers,
and her heavenly one just wanted her more than her earthly one and took
her home. Through all the praying and hoping, I have always felt the
spirit of calm that God's will would be worked even if I couldn't
understand it. One day I will. I'll be in heaven and Katie will take me
by the hand and show me around and reassure me that everything was fine.
It's a nice dream I have.

I can't thank everyone adequately here for the love and encouragement
you've all shown me and my family and to Katie herself. If you could
only see the hundreds of cards and gifts and letters Katie received
you'd know just how loved she was. I will forever be grateful to
everyone for their support.

I will be mostly out of touch for some time but promise to return soon.
Please hug someone you love.

God bless you all.

Albin Johnson
Katie's dad

---

Oh, wow. That's just not the way it's supposed to work, kids going before their parents...my thoughts are with them. What a wonderful tribute to her, that site.

EDITED: I just realized she was in Columbia! That's where I live. I watched the video, too, how nice of those people to send well wishes...

How very sad, I agree it isn't supposed to happen that way. Children aren't supposed to go before their parents. What a cute little girl. I pray that she is at peace now and painfree. Good thoughts and prayers going out to her family.

too sad...
That's why my husband and I are afraid to have children....
We couldn't bear the pain of anything ever happening like that.
:(

:( Prayers for Katie and her family.

:(

What a strong and loving family!

I'll bet all our Bridge Kids met her and are making her welcome.

{{{Hugs}}} to the Family Katie had to leave behind.

:(

oh my gosh :( That is so sad :( ((hugs)) Prayers to her family. Rest in peace, dear Katie :(

oh gosh that is so sad. She was such a cute little girl. The tribute of her is wonderful though. I feel so bad for her parents. I will pray for her family.

So sad... but I'm glad her last bit of time on this earth was mostly happy for her. Prayers and hugs to Katie and her family.

Omg, Katie was such a beautiful little girl. That is just heartbreaking.:( I can NOT imagine losing one of my kids. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

This is so sad...:( It's so hard for everyone, especially for her parents, it must be terrible to lose one of your children... I'm sure Katie is in peace now

Kimmy,

My heart goes out to Albin and his entire family. Boy, that hits so close to home for me. There is nothing more tragic than losing a child.

Please relay my sincere heartfelt condolences to him and the family. I am at a loss for words right now. :(

Thanks everyone.... from Albin

Quote:

---

From: Albin Johnson
To: 501st
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 7:46 AM
Subject: [501stLegionHQ] katie johnson


As some of you may have already heard, my daughter Katie finally ended
her battle with cancer on Tuesday when she passed away around 5:30 pm.
Katie's health had been declining so I began my leave of absence from
work that day, not knowing that would be the day she would pass. Katie
enjoyed a quiet morning with me and Kathy, watching t.v. and playing
with her kittens. She asked me to put Star Wars Episode II on, then laid
down to take a nap. Hours later she passed away in her sleep. She was
surrounded by both sets of parents, her oncologist, her hospice nurse,
and her pastor. It was a minor miracle that everyone managed to be there
at just the right time. I held Katie in my arms as she struggled with
her transformation, holding her close and reassuring her that it was
okay to let go. She let out a deep and satisfying sigh with her last
breath and it sounded just like when she was a baby. I must have held
her for two hours.

Katie's older sister, Allie, was devastated by the news. But she's a
trooper at heart and today she marched bravely to her first day of
school in spite of her loss. I asked her if she was sure she wanted to
go, and she said she had to - Katie had wanted to make the first day of
school and couldn't, so Allie would do it for her. Katie's step-mom,
Kathy, turned in the math book Katie worked so hard on over the summer.
It was a beautiful day. Katie had passed at just the right time -
waiting long enough to see Hilary Duff in person and seeing members of
the Carolina Garrison who visited her on Saturday. But soon enough for
Allie to have _just_ enough time to start fresh at school.

Katie's funeral will be held tomorrow, Friday August 12th, at Riverland
Hills Baptist Church on St. Andrews Rd.in Columbia, SC. Service will be
at 4 pm. Everyone who attends is encouraged to wear something pink, as
that is what Katie would have wanted.

This is the most horrible experience of my life, but it is also the most
incredible lesson I've had the privilege to witness. Katie fought cancer
every step of the way, never complaining about her treatments or her
disabilities. She was a plucky, wonderful child who told me she was not
afraid to die. A big fan of the LOTR character , Frodo, she remarked to
me a couple weeks ago that Frodo was lucky to go in the boat over the
seas to the undying lands, and likened that to real-world death. She
said that there was no reason to cry, because over there there are no
monsters and whoever goes over is happy and too busy having fun to miss
those they left behind.

God was at work here, no matter what anyone says. Katie had two fathers,
and her heavenly one just wanted her more than her earthly one and took
her home. Through all the praying and hoping, I have always felt the
spirit of calm that God's will would be worked even if I couldn't
understand it. One day I will. I'll be in heaven and Katie will take me
by the hand and show me around and reassure me that everything was fine.
It's a nice dream I have.

I can't thank everyone adequately here for the love and encouragement
you've all shown me and my family and to Katie herself. If you could
only see the hundreds of cards and gifts and letters Katie received
you'd know just how loved she was. I will forever be grateful to
everyone for their support.

I will be mostly out of touch for some time but promise to return soon.
Please hug someone you love.

God bless you all.

Albin Johnson
Katie's dad

---

What a beautiful sweet-spirited child. My heartfelt condolences go to her family. I can't even begin to fathom how one deals with the death of your child, it just isn't supposed to happen that way. It was very touching that Allie went to school for her that first day, a beautiful tribute. Sending prayers to their whole family.

That is so incredibly sad. I can't even imagine. :(