Club

Digital Projection

Congratulations to the winners of the May competition, “Intentional Camera Movement!”

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are 7-9 p.m. on the second floor of the Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage Building, 9860 Highway 92, Woodstock. Please park and enter through the doors at the back of the building. Contact Kim Bates at 770-617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net for more information.

While many families enjoy summer days swimming and vacationing, Katie and Stewart Startt are spending their summer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — Egleston Hospital, as their 2-year-old daughter Becca June undergoes intensive chemotherapy treatments.

Katie Startt was born and raised in Cherokee County. A graduate of Etowah High School and Reinhardt University, Katie has spent the past 16 years serving as a special education teacher at Mountain Road Elementary School in Woodstock. “I didn’t realize it then, but my whole life has been preparing me for where I find myself today,” Katie said.

Katie and Stewart were married in 2014 and had their first daughter Evie in 2017. Eager to grow their family, they began trying for their second child. Over the next four years, Katie suffered through 10 miscarriages. “The most traumatic loss — a loss so painful I had decided I was done trying to have kids — was when I lost our son at 22 weeks pregnant. I didn’t think I could take any more heartache. But God knew,” she said.

“In 2021, I wasn’t trying but found out I was pregnant again when I was already eight weeks along. Making it past week 22 was a big relief,” she said.

“On March 15, 2021, Becca June (named after our grandmothers) was born. Her umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around her neck, so the nurses presented her to me once her oxygen levels normalized.

“The moment I laid my eyes on my beautiful baby girl, I knew. Becca June had Down syndrome. While no medical markers were visible to prepare us for this, I knew that I was more than prepared.”

Like many babies with Down syndrome, Becca June was born with two holes in her heart, and a fissure, which caused her to spend her first month of life in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). “Since her time in NICU, she has impressed every doctor and therapist she has met. Becca June is meeting all of her milestones in her own time and does it all with the biggest smile on her face! The holes in her heart closed on their own without surgery. We feel so very blessed and proud,” Katie said.

A year ago, an unusual rash called petechiae appeared on her skin, which caused concern. Becca June then began having ear infections and fevers that weren’t improving. On March 26, her blood work revealed she had a rare type of leukemia, acute megakaryocytic, that most often affects children who have Down syndrome. It is thought that the same genetic mutation that leads to leukemia in children with Down syndrome also helps them respond better to a certain type of chemotherapy.

Becca June was admitted to Egleston, where she began intensive chemotherapy treatments. “Her treatments are grueling, but the doctors are very optimistic, which is incredible,” Katie said. Her infusions are quick, but she must remain in the hospital to receive blood and platelet transfusions, when necessary, as well as IV antibiotics. “I miss spending summer months with Evie, but she is home with her dad when he is not at work and with her grandparents when he is. We are so thankful to our family and friends for all of their love and support throughout these challenging years.”

Katie plans to return to teaching in August between treatments to keep her long-term position in the school system. They expect Becca June’s treatments to end in February. In the interim, they need encouragement and support from the amazing community, where Katie has lived and served.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/ ea968979, to help them through these challenging months. Everyday Angels will accept donations on their behalf, as well. Please pray for the Startt family and beautiful Becca June.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.