HOLLAND, Mich. — After more than six years of battling two different types of brain cancer, a beloved West Michigan girl has died.
Emerson Hoogendoorn, of Holland, passed away last Thursday surrounded by her loved ones. She was 12.
"She beat the unbeatable first cancer that she got when she was just 6 1/2 years old called DMG- Diffuse Midline Glioma, a form of DIPG," her grandmother Barb Francis said. "Then last year in May they discovered a new tumor, very fast growing...a radiation-induced glioma."
Diffuse Midline Glioma is a type of cancer that begins in the brain or spinal cord and usually gives patients only months to live.
"Unfortunately she kept producing these tumors. They tried treating the new tumors but her body became toxic to the medication. So they had to stop treating the cancer and it took over very quickly."
"She will be greatly missed by all who knew her," her grandmother said.
Emerson was laid to rest this past weekend at Lakewood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Emerson's honor can be given to the Chat Tough Defeat DIPG Foundation, P.O. Box 907, Saline, MI 48176 or by going to chadtough.org/donate/.