The first signs of any trouble started when Neera developed skin lesions at 8 years old. Neera is the daughter of Calvin and Janean Smith.

 

We started taking her to a dermatologist in Shreveport where they burnt off the skin lesions. Eventually, a biopsy of the lesion was taken. This is the point when we found out that Neera had cancer. She was sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Tennessee. Once we were at St. Jude, Neera was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma. The cancer had progressed too her small intestine and surgery was done to remove it.

 

Neera required 6 chemo treatments over the course of six months. She began her first treatment in August of 2012 and finished in February 2013. Over the course of those treatments Neera lost all her hair. While at St. Jude, she got the opportunity to meet several celebrities. Neera came home and was healthy for almost a year. 

 

Neera's cancer returned in August of 2015. She was sent back to St. Jude's in Tennessee where she underwent 5 surgeries. Currently, Neera is taking 6 pills a week for her chemo treatments. We go once a week to Shreveport to see a doctor who is an affiliate of St. Jude in Tennessee. We also travel to Tennessee once a month. 

 

Right now, Neera is doing well. Her next appointment will be December 15th.

 

Donations will be taken in a Shelby Savings Bank.