Community Corner

New Baltimore Girl Heading to Wilms' Tumor Meeting

The 10-year-old girl and her mother are expected to attend the Marine City town hall gathering Thursday night, her father said.

A 10-year-old New Baltimore girl, who's suffered through the pains and treatments of Wilms' tumor since age 3, is expected Thursday at a public health forum in St. Clair County.

Joe Commyn told Patch earlier that day his daughter, Jacqueline Commyn, and her mother, Carole Phillips, are hoping to find answers at the meeting.

The St. Clair County Public Health Department, with help from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and its Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, are investigating potential environmental links to several cases of the rare kidney cancer in Marine City-area children, according to The Detroit News and The Port Huron Times Herald.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

'You just don't know ... '

For years, Jacqueline's parents have been puzzled over why their daughter fell ill to the disease that affects about 500 people annually.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"You just don't know if there's something there," Joe said. "Your child goes through something like that ... there's not a day that goes by that you don't second-guess yourself."

He says he's often wondered whether drinking water played a role, not necessarily from New Baltimore but from past vacations in Deckerville. The has also been mentioned as a cause for concern in the nearby Marine City-area cancer cases.

"It's just crazy to see how many kids are diagnosed in that area," he said.

He said he hopes the public health officials are able "to put closure to it" soon to prevent further illness.

Jacqueline's Journey to Health

In October 2004, Jacqueline was rushed to Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center with a fever. The resident physician checked her stomach and felt a mass, her father said.

"It was by fluke we caught it," he said.

Speaking of himself and his now ex-wife, he said, "It was very shocking for both of us."

About two weeks later, Jacqueline began her long journey through treatment with chemotherapy followed by radiation and multiple surgeries, including operations to remove portions of her kidney. Although she was cancer-free for about 18 months, she was rediagnosed in July 2009. Following more treatment at Children's Hospital in Detroit, she eventually went to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC, last year for stem cell transplants, her father said.

The day she left was May 15, her birthday, and she returned in mid-August. Her recent, fourth checkup since then shows she's tumor-free and healthy, he said.

'An incredible kid'

Jacqueline is a fourth-grader at Immaculate Conception School in Ira Township where her 12-year-old brother Jacob also attends. Her friends and teachers at school know about her hardships and have been supportive of her. Many people who know her say she's an inspiration for her strength and courage. She also is an animal-lover, often doting on her dogs, her father said.

"She's an incredible kid," he said.

Meeting Is Open to Public

That public health meeting is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. at the Washington Life Center, 403 N. Mary St. in Marine City.


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