Name: Lyndie Knispel
Age: 14
Dance Studio: California Dance Theatre, CA
Why Lyndie wants to be a voice for children fighting cancer:
I want to be a voice for children fighting cancer because I have seen the impact cancer can have on a family. Four years ago my brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had been having ‘dead leg’ syndrome in his legs for over 6 years, and no pediatrician or doctor could figure out the cause. They kept attributing it to growing pains. Then he started fainting. At first, the ER doctors thought he was dehydrated. Finally one ER doctor recommended a brain scan. The scan revealed a tumor in the back of his head. He had surgery within a month of this test, and now, four years later, he is cancer free. He has to go for annual brain scans, probably for the rest of his life. This was a really traumatic event for our family, but it had a wonderful result. I want to help other children who are diagnosed or are being treated for cancer, because while my brother was going through this, we did not really know who to talk to. It is no fun to be scared, and I am hoping I can help others just by being a good listener and friend.
