Cancer survivor searches for girl who helped in childhood treatment

CASHMERE, Wash. — A childhood cancer survivor from Cashmere, Washington, is searching for a woman who she says helped her through her treatment in 1984.

Danielle Cloakey was diagnosed as a baby with stage 4 neuroblastoma.

She received treatment at Seattle Children's Hospital, where she met another little girl named Missy, who she has never forgotten.

She has a picture of the two of them holding hands in 1984.

"I still think of her every single day. I wonder if she knows about me, if she has the same picture I do, if her cancer ever came back?" Cloakey wrote in an email to KIRO 7.

Cloakey is 34 years old. Though she survived her battle with cancer, she has battle scars.

While she was receiving treatment for neuroblastoma, Cloakey had two serious ear infections. Because of the chemotherapy, her immune system was wiped out.

The ear infections escalated to viral encephalitis, which attacked her brain stem, leaving her with physical disabilities similar to cerebral palsy sufferers. She also has hearing loss, speech impairmentand scoliosis from radiation.

But she is thankful to be alive, and she's hoping to reconnect with the little girl who helped her through her treatment.

"Our joined hands in (the photo) meant that in some way, we knew ... we were pretty much going through the same thing. It was a comfort," Cloakey wrote. "And I guess, today, Missy still means comfort to me. She's a friend, despite the fact that I don't know her anymore. I'd like to, though, if it's at all possible. If she's out there, I'd like to know. And if she's not, I'd like to know that too."

Cloakey does not know much about Missy. She doesn't know her last name. She doesn't know if Missy survived her cancer. All she knows is that if Missy were alive today, she'd be about 35 years old.

"All I have is that one picture, and it hurts me that Missy isn't smiling in it. At the very least, I want to see a picture of her smiling, and if she is alive ... I would love to get in touch," Cloakey wrote.

If you know anything about Missy, you can contact Cloakey at danielle.cloakey@gmail.com.

Cox Media Group