A family is sharing their heartbreaking story, introducing us to their young daughter who is battling cancer.
It's a fight she knows all too well.
Trista Kirby, 8, was recently diagnosed with leukemia for a second time. As she struggles to survive, her family is in desperate need of financial help during this difficult time.
"Trust in God... just pray every day and God will heal you," says Trista, fighting one of the biggest battles in life.
As she lays covered on her couch, with her parents by her side, wondering when she will be able to go outside and play with her friends again, her words of encouragement are "stay strong and have a happy life."
"We're hopeful it's just really hard on her... she's afraid of dying... every single day that's what I hear," says Kristen Kirby, Trista's mother.
Trista was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two and after two years of treatment, they thought she beat it.
"We were starting to live a normal life again... she almost hit the five-year mark," says her mother.
On May 9, Trista relapsed.
"They're going to be doing more intense chemo. It's going to be a lot more intense a lot harder for her this year around" says Kristen.
Her mother says they're trying to make it as easy as possible wearing team Trista shirts and wristbands, and even throwing her a head-shaving party.
"I have no control over this... she's my youngest and I want to be able to take it away... want to be able to help her," says her mother.
The Kirbys say things keep getting worse; they're back on their mortgage and their only vehicle, the one that gets Trista to doctor's appointments, broke down. The bills have started to pile up, because Trista's father is the only one bringing the family income.
"We don't want to lose our house... we don't want to not have lights and things like that because we need this for our kids," says Kristen.
While the struggle continues for this family, they are hopeful things will get better.
And the first thing Trista will be do when she is better? Hug all of her cousins.
The family is waiting to hear from doctors regarding the next steps of Trista's treatment. They are hoping she will not need a bone marrow transplant and praying she gets through all of this so she can go back to being a playful little girl again.
If you would like to help the family send an email to Jennifer.Bisram@wxyz.com. A GoFundMe page has also been set up for donations.
