Facebook cancer support

DAILY DOT COM - Taylor Wilson, 16, is locked in a tough battle.  She was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia at age 15, but her mother says she’s well equipped to handle the fight.

"Strong, graceful, a good attitude, a good fighter,” said Aimee Wilson when asked to describe her daughter.

Leukemia is a cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue.  The disease is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white, in the bone marrow.  According to reports, about 2,000 children and 27,000 adults are diagnosed with leukemia each year.

A number of tests can be used to make a diagnosis and while treatment depends on the type of leukemia the patient has, it typically includes chemotherapy.

Taylor started rounds of chemotherapy in December of 2009.  The treatment worked for a while, but the blood cancer recently came back.  Instead of giving up, the Gulf Shores teen took to Facebook to raise awareness. Today the Team Taylor page has more than 550 likes.

"Everyone's doing pictures of Taylor, Loving Taylor to a T," said Wilson.

The well wishes come from different corners of the nation, and serve as pick me ups when the teen is in the hospital.  For Taylor, and her family, Facebook is more than just a popular social networking site…it’s more like a lifeline to a larger community for much needed support.

Taylor will travel to Birmingham in the spring for more treatment.  On Saturday, January 26, Chris Wheeles, will host a “Break-a-thon” to raise money to help cover medical expenses.  Wheeles met Taylor through his karate dojo, Wheeles Yoshukai Karate Academy. 

Taylor likes karate and actually took classes before she became sick.  For a small contribution, karate students will break wooden boards or bricks in her honor.  Proceeds will go towards Taylor’s medical expenses.

The event will be held at 1:00 p.m. the Pelican Place, Craft Farms in Gulf Shores.