Diagnosed with a diffuse pontine glioma, an inoperable tumor on her brain stem, just before her third birthday, Bizzie's journey was one of courage and resilience. Despite the severity of her condition, she embraced life with a fierce joy and vivacity that belied her years. Known for her love of dressing in colorful outfits, cooking food for her family, and embodying the very essence of being "Bizzie," she left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
The treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, encompassing both radiation and chemotherapy, were a testament to the medical community's fight against one of the most challenging diseases. Yet, despite their efforts and Bizzie's incredible bravery, the tumor proved relentless. On January 15, 2011, Bizzie passed away peacefully in New York. Her final resting place is at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum in East Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey, a testament to her family's love and the community that cherished her.
Bizzie's story did not end with her passing. Inspired by their daughter's journey, Amy and Joseph Stein channeled their grief into a force for change. They brought The Cure Starts Now, a foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer research, to Morris Plains, marking its 22nd chapter. This foundation, born from the legacy of another young girl taken too soon by brain cancer, represents hope and relentless pursuit of a cure for one of the most deadly and insidious forms of the disease.
The foundation's focus on curing pediatric brain cancer holds a broader significance; experts believe that finding a cure for this formidable enemy could unlock the door to cures for all cancers. The Steins, alongside countless other families affected by DIPG, have become integral in this fight, contributing to research, raising awareness, and fostering community support. Bizzie's brain tumor, donated for research at Stanford University, is part of this monumental effort, making her a part of a larger story of hope and progress.
The community's embrace, from fundraisers in Parsippany to the envisaged Bizzie Lizzie run and lemonade stands, showcases the impact of one little girl's life. Programs like Monkey in My Chair keep the spirit of children like Bizzie alive in classrooms, even as they fight their battles. The DIPG Collaborative and its symposiums underscore the collective effort to find a cure, a testament to the shared mission sparked by children like Bizzie.
In remembering Bizzie, we acknowledge a life that, while brief, was immensely meaningful. Her love for girly things, her strong will, and her indomitable spirit continue to inspire. Through the foundations, research, and community actions she inspired, Bizzie's legacy is a call to action, a reminder of the preciousness of life, and a beacon of hope for a future free from the pain of pediatric brain cancer.
As we honor Elizabeth Francesca "Bizzie" Stein, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. Her story, marked by love, bravery, and the enduring fight against pediatric brain cancer, continues to inspire and drive forward the mission for a cure. Though her time was short, the ripples of her life continue to spread, touching lives, shaping futures, and forging a path toward a world where no child has to face the battle that Bizzie did. Her memory lives on, a guiding light in the ongoing fight against childhood cancer.
Written by: Alan Owen
Diagnosed with a diffuse pontine glioma, an inoperable tumor on her brain stem, just before her third birthday, Bizzie's journey was one of courage and resilience. Despite the severity of her condition, she embraced life with a fierce joy and vivacity that belied her years. Known for her love of dressing in colorful outfits, cooking food for her family, and embodying the very essence of being "Bizzie," she left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
The treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, encompassing both radiation and chemotherapy, were a testament to the medical community's fight against one of the most challenging diseases. Yet, despite their efforts and Bizzie's incredible bravery, the tumor proved relentless. On January 15, 2011, Bizzie passed away peacefully in New York. Her final resting place is at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum in East Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey, a testament to her family's love and the community that cherished her.
Bizzie's story did not end with her passing. Inspired by their daughter's journey, Amy and Joseph Stein channeled their grief into a force for change. They brought The Cure Starts Now, a foundation dedicated to pediatric brain cancer research, to Morris Plains, marking its 22nd chapter. This foundation, born from the legacy of another young girl taken too soon by brain cancer, represents hope and relentless pursuit of a cure for one of the most deadly and insidious forms of the disease.
The foundation's focus on curing pediatric brain cancer holds a broader significance; experts believe that finding a cure for this formidable enemy could unlock the door to cures for all cancers. The Steins, alongside countless other families affected by DIPG, have become integral in this fight, contributing to research, raising awareness, and fostering community support. Bizzie's brain tumor, donated for research at Stanford University, is part of this monumental effort, making her a part of a larger story of hope and progress.
The community's embrace, from fundraisers in Parsippany to the envisaged Bizzie Lizzie run and lemonade stands, showcases the impact of one little girl's life. Programs like Monkey in My Chair keep the spirit of children like Bizzie alive in classrooms, even as they fight their battles. The DIPG Collaborative and its symposiums underscore the collective effort to find a cure, a testament to the shared mission sparked by children like Bizzie.
In remembering Bizzie, we acknowledge a life that, while brief, was immensely meaningful. Her love for girly things, her strong will, and her indomitable spirit continue to inspire. Through the foundations, research, and community actions she inspired, Bizzie's legacy is a call to action, a reminder of the preciousness of life, and a beacon of hope for a future free from the pain of pediatric brain cancer.
As we honor Elizabeth Francesca "Bizzie" Stein, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. Her story, marked by love, bravery, and the enduring fight against pediatric brain cancer, continues to inspire and drive forward the mission for a cure. Though her time was short, the ripples of her life continue to spread, touching lives, shaping futures, and forging a path toward a world where no child has to face the battle that Bizzie did. Her memory lives on, a guiding light in the ongoing fight against childhood cancer.
Written by: Alan Owen
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