Mainland High Rallies Around Freshman With Rare Cancer

Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair. In September, as Brianna Gansert was beginning her freshman year at Mainland Regional High School, that exciting time with so many memories to be made and life to be lived, she started feeling sick.

Blood tests confirmed the worst. Brianna was diagnosed with biphenotypic acute leukemia, a rare form of cancer.

Instead of settling in to her freshman year in high school, Brianna was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Since then she has been undergoing an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy.

A post on the CaringBridge website on Brianna's birthday last week said she had completed her third round of chemo and was returning home..

"Just wanted to wish Beautiful Brianna a wonderful and happy 15th Birthday today!!

I am also happy to report that Brianna's last round of in-patient chemo (Phase 3, round 2) went considerably better than the last round! She arrived home yesterday after a 5 day stay at CHOP and rested up for a busy birthday schedule of visitors today!!

We are all so very proud of your strength and perseverance during this difficult time. You are so much braver than your 15 years!!

Two rounds down in this phase, two to go! YOU GO GIRL!!!"

Her classmates and the Mainland High School community are now holding a fundraising campaign to honor Brianna. Until February 16th, "Pennies for Patients" is trying to raise $2,015 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Brianna's name.

To donate, visit http://nj.dojiggy.com/ng/index.cfm/13822/regPages/pledge/mrhs