10 years

It was about 8:30 pm on April 30, 2002 when I got the call. After endless chemo treatments, radiation, and doctor visits, Kerri had passed away.

Kerri and I met through our church youth group. She was always someone you could depend on to give you a laugh if you needed one. Her faith, even at 18 was something I still admire to this day. She was an awesome basketball player and a great friend.

I remember the day before Kerri's first appointment. She has been playing basketball and thought she has just tweaked her shoulder. However this particular Sunday she was never pus about her appt because basketball had been over for a few weeks and she was still have shoulder pain. That next day is when she got the news that she had Osteosarcoma- bone cancer.

To this day, St. Jude's has a special place in my heart. For my non-catholic friends, St Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases. St Jude's Hospital is where Kerri had all of her treatments. While she was one of the older patients there, she was an inspiration to so many. I can't watch the St Jude's specials or telethons without thinking about Kerri, and normally without crying.

One of the reasons I wanted to get married at St Jude's Catholic church was because of Kerri. Yes, it was Robert's church growing up but I have always loved that it is St Jude's.

I cannot believe it's been 10 years since Kerri died. But I am so incredibly thankful that I was able to know her for as long as I did.