Emmy’s No Mo Chemo celebrates girl’s progress

BY GREGG L. PARKER / SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

A novel idea will help to celebrate six-year-old Emmy Harrison’s milestone in battling cancer.

Harrison

Her parents, Matt and Rebecca Harrison, are hosting “Emmy’s No Mo Chemo Celebration” (no more chemotherapy) to honor their daughter.

The event will be held at Madison United Methodist Church, 127 Church St. on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The public is invited.

When Emmy was 15 months old, a wart-like bump developed on her right leg and remained the same size until she was four, Rebecca Harrison said. Last year, the bump grew, changed shape, itched and bled.

Emmy had surgery to remove the growth, and the Harrisons were referred to a pediatric oncologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Emmy was diagnosed with Stage III Spitzoid Melanoma.

At St. Jude, Emmy’s treatment included one month of high-dose chemotherapy. After returning home, Harrison administered the chemotherapy injections to Emmy. “It was like a flu shot,” Harrison said.

Emmy completed chemotherapy on Sept. 22. For follow-ups, they visit the local affiliate for St. Jude in Huntsville.

Emmy is now a kindergarten student at Columbia Elementary School.

The “No Mo Chemo” party will feature a free carnival, along with bake sale, catering, handprint/footprint canvases by Picket Fence Studio and art classes — all to benefit St. Jude.

A silent auction, dubbed “Emmy’s Favorite Things,” will be packed with donations from local companies and individuals. Items for auction include a University of Alabama football signed by Nick Saban; services by Paradise Pet Resort and Spa, The Little Gym and The Dance Company; meals at Madison and Bridge Street restaurants; and visits to Monaco Pictures, Huntsville Botanical Garden and Point Mallard.

Merchandise from Barnes and Noble, department stores and Earth Fare will be auctioned. DanTera and Millidine’s salons, KIN Stables, Sci-Quest and The Westin Huntsville also contributed.

“We’ll have a special ceremony for Emmy and her siblings at 1 p.m.,” Harrison said. The silent auction will close around 3 p.m.

“People can meet Emmy at the party,” Harrison said. Numerous residents have been following Emmy’s progress online at Caring Bridge Caringbridge.org/visit/emmyharrison).

The non-profit CaringBridge.org Web site serves as a central, communication link for relatives and friends to stay informed about a patient’s status during a major health challenge.

To raise funds for St. Jude, Rebecca Harrison has joined Team Madison City Schools to run the half-marathon in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Dec. 3. “All of the money we raise at Emmy’s No Mo Chemo Celebration will go to Team Madison City Schools,” she said.

Team Madison City Schools has set their St. Jude goal at $50,000. Teams from across the country will present their collections at the marathon in Memphis. Columbia, where Emmy attends school, raised $9,000.

To view Emmy’s fundraising page for St. Jude, visit mystjudeheroes.org/emmyh. Also, visit Emmy’s No Mo Chemo Celebration on Facebook.