Alternative Medicine Gives New Hope to Seven-Year-Old Scottsdale Girl Battling Brain Cancer.

November 8 Fundraiser Planned to Raise Funds to Support Alternative Treatment Costs

PHOENIX -- As any parent would, the parents of seven-year-old Scottsdale resident Mae Watson have stopped at nothing to help their daughter battle an inoperable form of brain cancer. Since January of this year, the cancer has aggressively taken the traditional childhood joys out of Mae's daily life as she fights to stay alive. Today, while the tumor has stopped growing, it has not gone away, and at the present time her immune system is not strong enough to continue traditional cancer care.

Mae's tumor is a grade III astrocytoma, or glioma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. Surprisingly, brain tumors comprise approximately 20 percent of all childhood malignancies, second only to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. While traditional medicine has stopped the growth of Mae's tumor, it has not reduced it, and she continues to fight ongoing complications from the disease. Along with her conventional care, Mae is considering a few alternative treatments including immunotherapy and Vitamin C therapy that would help boost her heavily weakened immune system. Research indicates that increasing Vitamin C levels can lead to anabolic processes, organ function improvement and immune system enhancement.

However, alternative therapies are not covered by health insurance. So, together with the help of the community, friends and family, Mae's parents are once again doing what it takes to get Mae the necessary treatment to make her well. On Thursday, November 8, 2007, Mae's supporters are hosting a fundraising event, "Celebrate Mae Day," with a goal of $30,000 that would go toward the costs of her alternative cancer care. The event is to include a silent auction, live auction, raffle items, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, live music and more. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for children.

It has been an uphill battle since Mae was diagnosed earlier this year. Mae began having seemingly unrelated symptoms starting in January. She had some trouble focusing on school work, and began complaining about her eyes, things far away became blurry. The family began to notice she would forget small things here and there, like a letter, number or word. Then her right eye started crossing randomly. After a trip to the ophthalmologist in January, Mae's doctor requested an MRI as a routine measure. From the MRI, doctors discovered an area of swelling in the center of Mae's brain (the thalamus) which ultimately was diagnosed as a brain tumor.

The cause of childhood brain tumors is largely unknown. While radiation exposure is a recognized risk factor for brain tumors, the role of other environmental toxins is unclear in children. Less than 5 percent of pediatric brain tumors are associated with a known genetic disease, and most cases occur in the first decade of life, with the peak age at 5-9 years. Surgical resection alone is sufficient to cure the majority of low-grade astrocytomas; however, the prognosis is not as encouraging for high-grade astrocytomas in spite of the addition of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Mae's tumor is a grade III astrocytoma, or glioma. It is considered aggressive, so the treatment has been aggressive. Mae has undergone mainstream cancer treatments, both chemotherapy and radiation therapies. Mae's parents, Brett and Tess, have looked into various alternative treatments and are considering every option that could potentially save the life of their youngest daughter. This includes experimental conventional approaches, as well as alternative clinics, herbal medicine, acupuncture, meditation, homeopathy, chiropractic, and many more.

If you would like to know more about this special little girl and their courageous family, you can visit the family website at http://web.mac.com/brwatson. To RSVP for Mae Day please visit www.acteva.com/go/maeday or contact Sue Ciccolini directly at 480-363-0932. If you wish to mail a financial donation, please send to Bank of America, 13008 N Tatum Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85032. Make checks payable to "Mae Watson Medical Assistance Fund."

CELEBRATE MAE DAY Fundraising Event

Who:     Mae Watson
What:    "Celebrate Mae Day" Fundraiser
Where:   Aunt Chilada's restaurant
         7330 Dreamy Draw Dr.
         Phoenix, AZ
When:    Thursday, November 8
         6:30 pm to 10 pm
Tickets: Adults: $30
         Children: $20
RSVP:    www.acteva.com/go/maeday
         Sue Ciccolini 480-363-0932

Additional information: Heavy Hors d'oeuvres buffet to be served. Cash bar, live music, silent auction, live auction, raffle items and more.