Our little angel, Mariah Shahan, fought bravely against neuroblastoma for most of her life. Even when the tumors took her sight, she continued to play and even draw with her markers, never giving in to the disease.
On March 18, 2004 Mariah lost her battle against cancer at the age of three years, three months old. With-in the pages of this site we will celebrate her life and encourage our visitors to learn more about neuroblastoma. We hope Mariah's story will inspire you to join the fight against neuroblastoma, and that together we may help another little girl or boy win their battle against cancer.

The following article was published in the newsletter
of the Ronald McDonald House.

Spring 2003 Our Sweet Little Angel

Cute. Adorable. Precious. That's the first impression everyone has who meets Mariah Shahan. Once you get to know her, you realize how courageous this two-year-old really is. In June 2001 Mariah was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a common form of childhood cancer. At only seven months old she was sent to see Dr. Paul Bowman at Cook Children's Medical Center. After six months of treatment, the cancer went into remission and Mariah was back home in Knox City, a small town in West Texas near Abilene.
Four months later the cancer returned in the form of a tumor behind her left eye. The three-hour drive from Knox City to Fort Worth was no longer feasible because of the lengthy treatment that was needed. Mariah would need more chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and radiation. In April 2002, Mariah, her mother, and her grandmother began their stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Mariah immediately stole the hearts of everyone she met. "Ariah," as she refers to herself, is a very sweet, loving girl who loves sharing with other kids. Hematology nurse Terri Sutton said that Mariah loves to play and asks for her or Andrea every time she comes to the clinic. Once when Terri was very busy and couldn't play, Mariah sprawled out in the middle of the floor in the waiting room full of people and cried "No, Terri, come play!"   more...

My Little Angel
By Rachel Ellis

We’ve been through a lot and still more to come. I’m sure.
We’ve shared a lot of fun and still more to come. I’m sure.

Grandma’s baby lamb, Papa’s baby bear, but always Rachel’s little angel.
We’ve shared ice cream and cupcakes too and we will again soon. I'm sure.

Grandma’s baby lamb, Papa’s baby bear, but always Rachel’s little angel.
I love you and we will be together again soon. I’m sure.

Grandma’s baby lamb, Papa’s baby bear but always and forever Rachel’s little angel.
I love you. Sleep tight my little angel. Goodbye. I will see you again soon. I’m sure.