Paddle for Daisy draws support in Huntington Beach
Paddle for Daisy in Huntington Beach had a change in planning today with the high surf. To keep everyone safe, only the local pros and pier surfers went into the water on north side of the HB Pier and the remaining people took a pier walk to yell and support those in the water.
Local icon Rockin Fig had a few big rides, as did local pro Courtney Conlogue.
Daisy Love Merrick is the granddaughter of world-renowned surfboard maker Al Merrick, and the icon asked for the surf community to come together to save this young girl’s life.
On Saturday at 9 a.m., surfers everywhere came together for Daisy Love Merrick to raise funds during a paddle-a-thon called “Paddle for Daisy”. There were more than three dozen events around the world – with three held here in Orange County: Huntington Beach Pier, Newport Beach Pier, and San Clemente Pier.
Here’s some of her story…
In September of 2009, during her first month of kindergarten, Daisy fell down on the playground. For an active, bouncy 5 year-old, the fall wasn’t unusual…but Daisy’s response was. Instead of resuming play, she sat limply and told the school staff: “I need to go the hospital.” When her parents arrived at the school, they agreed, and rushed her to a hospital in Santa Barbara to check for possible internal injuries. The doctors delivered news far worse than any playground accident:
Daisy has cancer.
Daisy underwent a lengthy surgery to remove her Wilms tumor, which was the size of a Nerf football and took up most of her abdominal cavity. Following the surgery, she was left with only one kidney. She underwent difficult treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. She lost her beautiful, golden hair, her eyelashes and eyebrows, and much of her energy. For many months, she was unable to leave the hospital or her house as her family and loving community prayed for a miracle.
Daisy survived her first battle with Cancer.
But her fight was far from over, and is now battling cancer for the third time in her young life. Just last April, a third tumor was removed from her stomach, her spleen removed again. She now faces more chemotherapy and extensive, expensive treatments that are not covered by insurance and will close close to half a million dollars.
More info, go to www.paddlefordaisy.com
John Salanoa
