Looking at little Roxie Schopp, you'd never know the 7-year-old from Creve Coeur, Mo., has spent more than half of her short life fighting to stay alive.
An unexplained mass that formed in her abdomen turned out to be neuroblastoma — a cancer that most commonly affects children age 5 or younger.
Roxie was diagnosed at age 3 and was given about a 35 percent chance of survival. She immediately started treatment: chemo, surgery, a bone marrow transplant, radiation.
Photos: Meet the adorable Roxie
"I didn't really get to see my family that often," she said.
Four years later, Roxie is cancer free — but still a few years away from official "remission."
After such an emotional battle, her family doesn't take a moment for granted, and they're on a mission to help other families.
Roxie's mother Holly says they are lucky.
"We're not even to the halfway mark of having children with the same diagnosis get to where Roxie is today," she said.
The Schopps formed "Team Roxie" and "Know Neuroblastoma" through the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
Their goal is raising awareness, and money — nearly $70,000 — to help find a cure, and hopefully keep other families off the emotional roller coaster they know all too well.
Neuroblastoma has a 50% chance of relapse. Right now, Roxie is part of a clinical trial to try and prevent relapse. It's a trial partially funded by St. Baldrick's -- so she's a first-hand example of how fundraising can truly make a difference.
For more information on Team Roxie, visit: www.stbaldricks.org/teams/knowneuroblastoma
The Schopps say an anonymous donor will match donations generated by the KSDK audience, up to $2,500.
