Sydney started her rock necklace business when she was only
8 years old. She found beautiful rocks on the beach of Lake
Michigan and turned them into necklaces with a simple string.
The necklaces were a hit among family and friends. She saved
up the money she earned and planned to use the money for
something important. Now she knows what that is...
In Sept. 2007 at 10 years old, after a lesion was discovered in
her cheekbone, Sydney was diagnosed with LCH, Langerhan's
Cell Histiocytosis, a rare blood disorder. The cause of the
disease is unknown and it is estimated that Histiocytosis
affects one in 200,000 children each year in the U.S.
LCH is considered an "orphan" disease, meaning
there is no government funding allocated
to research the best treatments and
ultimately a cure. After a biopsy
confirmed Sydney's LCH diagnosis,
Sydney underwent surgery to have a
port implanted in her chest to receive
six months of chemotherapy along with
high doses of steroids. Although
Histiocytosis is not classified as
Cancer, it requires some of the same
treatments.
Sydney has been doing well since she
stopped treatment and plans to
continue making and selling her rock
necklaces until a cure is found for LCH.
100% of the money earned from her Syd Rocks for LCH
necklaces will be donated for medical research to find a cure for
LCH and $10 from each t shirt sale will be donated to the Giving
Rocks Foundation established to help other charities and projects
Sydney has come to know and love.
