THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508170296
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS
CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
At first, doctors thought the small red spots on Tiffany Henry's left shoulder were the bites of a brown recluse spider, but within days the girl's family learned the frightening truth.
The 10-year-old had developed psuedomonas, a viral infection that kills 70 percent of its victims. A spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy would soon prove what doctors already suspected. Tiffany had acute lymphocytic leukemia.
``The doctor said there was no doubt a guardian angel had protected her,'' says the girl's grandmother, Martha Hart, when it became clear that Tiffany would survive the deadly virus that overran her cancer-weakened immune system.
Tiffany's grandmother is certain ``the Lord touched'' the girl because the leukemia is now in remission. ``It's a miracle.''
Each night before she goes to sleep, Tiffany picks up the phone next to her bed at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and dials her grandma's Virginia Beach number so the two can pray together.
Tiffany's mother, Donnelle Henry, has left her daughter's bedside only briefly during six weeks of chemotherapy. She sleeps on a fold-away bed in Tiffany's room, and tells her closest friends that she can't allow herself to break down - just must stay strong for Tiffany.
The 29-year-old delicatessen worker will likely need to take an extended leave of absence, because two years of treatment lie ahead in an effort to hold the cancer at bay. Tiffany's parents are separated. Her father lives in Pennsylvania.
Friends and neighbors in the Colonial Arms Apartments where the Henrys live have rallied behind the mother and daughter and will throw a fund-raiser block party Saturday. They hope to make enough money to help Donnelle Henry get through the tough months ahead.
It is not known how much of the estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills will be paid by insurance, but Donnelle Henry needs a car and gas and insurance money so that she can get back and forth from the hospital to her apartment - both while Tiffany is an in-patient and later when the girl must return frequently for treatment. And she'll need help with basics like rent, groceries and utilities, say event organizers.
Businesses have been generous in donating game and raffle prizes for the block party, but more are needed. Organizers also are looking for tables to borrow.
Tiffany's hospital stay may be longer than anticipated because last week doctors discovered spots on her spleen and doctors were to decide late this week whether to remove it.
Also in the offing are skin grafts on the cone-shaped holes the virus left on Tiffany's shoulder and leg. And she must learn to walk again.
Tiffany is a rising fourth-grader at Alanton Elementary School. She enjoys computers, roller skating, drawing and bicycle riding.
Donnelle Henry's friends and neighbors have plans for more fund-raisers in the coming months - a car wash, white elephant sale and bake sale. And Tiffany's peers want to put on a walk-a-thon.
Saturday's party will feature games for all ages - balloon darts, bubbles, a treasure chest, tic-tac-toe, a cake walk, a two-legged race and a lollipop tree. Refreshments for sale will include hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, popcorn and soda. Tickets for food and games are 50 cents apiece. ILLUSTRATION: HOW TO HELP
A block party to raise funds for Tiffany Henry will be held at 10
a.m. Saturday on the grounds of Colonial Arms Apartments on First
Colonial Road, across from Virginia Beach General Hospital. To make
donations, call Gina Yates at 496-9319 or Martha Hart at 496-0142.
Tiffany Henry
by CNB