Marnie Jude Howiler smiles during her 6th birthday party at Lake Norman YMCA on Saturday. (Gail Woods photo)
By BETSY FLAGLER
DavidsonNews.net
Marnie Howiler of Davidson celebrated her sixth birthday and the end of eight months of chemotherapy for cancer at a big bash at the Lake Norman YMCA on Saturday afternoon.
“This represents our first deep breath,” Robbie Howiler, Marnie’s mother, said during the party. “It’s a big heavy sigh of relief.”
Robbie and her husband Ken gave the party to celebrate the remission of Marnie’s cancer, and to say thank you to all those who have been with them on their journey. But they asked that instead of gifts, party-goers could make donations to the Marnie Jude Foundation to support pediatric cancer research.
The group Cookies for Kids' Cancer ran a cookie-decorating station at Marnie's party. Many of Marnie's former preschool teachers and friends at were there, including Hap Oldenburg in the foreground. (Gail Woods photo)
“Marnie’s gift of remission is the best gift we could have ever received,” Robbie said. “I’m so happy that people came from near and far to help us celebrate.”
The crowd of all ages included about 250 people: Relatives from as far as away as South Carolina and Georgia, nurses who recently helped with Marnie’s treatment, former teachers and students at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Weekday Preschool, and school friends from Davidson Elementary.
The non-profit group Cookies for Kids’ cancer donated a cookie-decorating station, and teachers and students from the Community School of Davidson donated supplies and talent for a face-painting station. YMCA camp counselors helped run bounce houses to keep the party hopping.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Oct. 28, 2009, “At DCPC pre-school, support for Marnie.”
Hundreds of children and adults have been wearing the pink Marnie butterfly bracelets shown above since her first surgery last October. Butterfly T-shirts with the Marnie Jude Foundation logo on them will be available for sale soon at www.marniejudefoundation.org. Instead of bringing gifts, party-goers made donations to the foundation to help raise money for pediatric cancer research. (Gail Woods photo)
