Welcome to Rowan's site

Our daughter Rowan Margaret Santos was born on August 20th of 2007. She was a happy, healthy, precocious infant when, in July of 2008, we moved from Indiana to Tampa, Florida. Shortly after arriving in Florida, we noticed a slight change in her eye color. We posted family pictures dating several months back to the web. Through an incredible and miraculous happenstance, a member of our BabyFit group noticed an unusual glare in some of our photos. Following her advice, we immediately sought further medical attention, and later that evening received the harrowing news that Rowan suffered from retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer afflicting her left eye.

After 6 cycles of chemotherapy and an enucleation, Rowan now has finished treatment from Dr. Timothy Murray at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Rowans right eye will be monitored with exams under anesthesia by Dr. Murray until she is 5, followed by regular dilated eye exams at least once a year probably for life. She sees Scott Garonzik at The Prosthestic Eye Institute for her prosthesis. We are amazed by his work. Many people cannot even tell which eye is the prosthetic.

For now, Rowan is thriving in life and spirit. She had a great personality and sense of humor. Because she will have her central line in until January 10th, 2010, the anniversary of her last cycle of chemo, we still need to be weary of infections and fever. We look forward very much to her getting that removed and returning to life as normal.

We would like to thank all our friends, family and supporters for all your help, thoughts and prayers. They have definitely seen us through the darkest of times in regards to Rowan's treatments and there is no way we could have done this without you. Please know you are in our hearts forever.

Thank you.

Marc, Megan, and Rowan Santos