EMMA'S MEMORY
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate

About Us

Our daughter Emma was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) in April of 2017, at nearly 4 months old. Emma underwent three brain surgeries, a tracheostomy, three stem cell transplants with high dose chemotherapy, and countless tests and procedures. We all spent the majority of 10 months in and out of the hospital. Emma smiled through the worst of the worst and reminded us all to do the same. She left us on February 2, 2018, leaving behind a rare gift. She was able to donate her tumor to the doctors, untouched by the harmful side effects of radiation, so they can continue their research as they work towards a cure.
​
We developed Emma’s Memory to surround her in this fight against pediatric brain tumors. At some point, Emma became surrounded by the imagery of elephants. No one really knows why or how. But, like an elephant, Emma went through the toughest of times with strength, grace and beauty. An elephant is always surrounded by her memory, or her herd, to support her in all endeavors.

We originally set out to raise $300,000 and have a window seat dedicated in Emma's name on the new wing of the oncology floor at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The floor where we spent the majority of Emma's short life. The place where we introduced her to views of the city she called home. The space where we found respite from the spiraling world around us.

In 2019, we reached our goal and the Emma Finke Window Seat was dedicated on May 7th. We hope this seat provides comfort to patients and families during the hardest of times, while offering a stunning view of both the city of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Childhood cancer research remains grossly underfunded so we will not stop until we have found a cure. Our new goal is $500,000 to go directly to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Lurie Children's for research and clinical trials. We were surrounded by the incredibly talented team at Lurie Children’s and given access to cutting edge treatment opportunities. We want these opportunities to be afforded to those that come behind us.
​
The mission of Emma’s Memory is to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors, so families can hug their children for years to come.

​~Sadie & Kyle Finke

News

Picture
Maddie's Miracles

Our wonderful friends at Dancing While Cancering: The Maddie Kramer Foundation wrote a beautiful tribute to our family in their latest blog post. In honor of Emma, they will donate 50% of the December royalties from Maddie’s Miracles to Emma’s Memory. The other 50% will be donated to Dancing While Cancering and the St. Baldrick’s/American Cancer Society Research Partnership.

Read More

Picture

KMOX Sports Open Line

Listen to Sadie and Kyle talk about Emma's Memory, Lurie Children's, Tiger football, and more with KMOX's Chris Hrabe.
Picture

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ben Frederickson: Cardinals and Cubs fans can root for Emma's memory.
Read More


Emma's Memory Benefits

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Lurie Children’s

One of the nation’s first and largest comprehensive and multidisciplinary programs for children and young adults with brain and spinal cord tumors. Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Lurie Children’s is one of the largest comprehensive pediatric brain tumor programs in the country and have the privilege of caring for over 150 new children and young adults with brain and spinal cord tumors each year.

The pediatric brain and spinal cord tumor specialists at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago make their expertise available to any patient or family seeking a second opinion, regardless of where a patient is currently receiving treatment.

We were surrounded by the incredibly talented team at Lurie Children's and given access to cutting edge treatment opportunities. We want those same opportunities to be afforded to those that come behind us. 
Picture
Learn More
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate