Prayers for Kylie: Parents remember daughter they lost to cancer with generous charity

 

Bree and Luke Rowand's dream of becoming parents came true when their little girl Kylie Elizabeth Rowand was born. The Rowands, who live in Alpine, California, near San Diego, never expected their daughter would spend half of her life fighting to stay alive.

Prayers for Kylie: Mom and dad turn heartbreak into hope for kids with cancer


"She was the light of everybody's life," Bree Rowand told TODAY. "Everyone who met her fell in love with her."
Bree Rowand with her daughter Kylie Aime Pendle Photography
Bree Rowand and her daughter Kylie Rowand.


Even at a young age, Kylie had so much personality, charisma and love. Her parents told TODAY she'd be making you laugh one second, and then crawl in your lap to cuddle the next second.
Kylie Rowand, Prayers for Kylie Bree Rowand
Kylie Roward was a little girl who made everyone laugh, her parents told TODAY.


"I never knew how much I could truly love somebody until my daughter was born," an emotional Luke Rowand said.
Kylie Rowand, Luke Rowand, Prayers for Kylie Bree Rowand
Luke Rowand with daughter Kylie.


Around Dec. 28, 2013, the couple realized something was wrong with Kylie. She wasn't acting like her joyful self.
"I remember hearing this bloodcurdling scream, and it scared me," her father told TODAY. "We couldn't console her."
They took their little girl to the emergency room, where a medical team ran a series of tests. The doctor didn't even have to say anything for Bree Rowand to realize their worst nightmare was coming true.
Kylie Rowand Prayers for Kylie Bree Rowand
Kylie Rowand at 19 months old.


"All I had to do was look at the scans and I thought, 'no, no no," she remembered. "She had tumors all over her face."


Kylie, at only 19 months old, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma on Dec. 30, 2013.
The Rowands took her to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for treatment. She underwent more than 10 surgeries, suffered two brain bleeds and had countless biopsies.
Kylie Rowand Bree Rowand
Kylie Rowand battled cancer for 13 months at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.


To keep family and friends up to date, Bree Rowand shared Kylie's journey on the Facebook page called "Prayers for Kylie." More than 110,000 people from all over the world prayed for Kylie and showed their support.
Luke Rowand, who continued to work a full-time job in California to support the family, decided to leave his position to be with his wife and daughter full time in New York.


A friend setup a GoFundMe page to help cover Kylie's medical bills and living expenses. Family, friends and strangers donated more than $100,000 to the Rowands.
Kylie Rowand Bree Rowand


"It goes to show you there are so many good people in this world, and that they want to help make a difference," Luke Rowand said.


A fan, who saw Kylie's story online, started a nail polish company called "Kylie's Kolors." Kids with cancer can create their own polish, and all the proceeds go to fund their treatment.

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