A boy named Michael Novenche is undergoing chemotherapy to kill a brain tumor.
One of the challenges in keeping up to date with reports of missing and sick children is having to continually re-evaluate three factors for every message:Is the message real (i.e., not an outright hoax)? Is the message accurate in its details? Is the message still valid?The message quoted above about Michael Novenche, a two-year-old boy undergoing chemotherapy to treat a brain tumor, was real, but keeping up with all the changes in his condition proved a challenge. The message quoted above stated that Michael had a large tumor in his brain, was operated upon to remove part of the tumor, and needed prayers to help him through chemotherapy to a full recovery. An October 2000 article in The Local Albany Weekly didn't mention anything about little Michael's medical condition but said that his family was 'in need of funds to help pay for the transportation to the hospital and other costs not covered by their insurance.' A June 2000 message posted to the Ecunet mailing list indicated that Michael had just turned 3 years old, mentioned that his tumor appeared to be shrinking, and provided a mailing address for him:MICHAEL NOVENCHE 'THE LITTLE SOLDIER'; THE TWO YEAR OLD BABY BOY HAD GOOD NEWS TODAY CONCERNING HIS MRI RESULTS. THE TUMOR HAS SOME SHRINKAGE. PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR PRAYERS FOR MICHAEL, HIS FAMILY AND HIS CAREGIVERS. THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS FROM EVERYONE. ALSO, THANKS IF YOU HAVE SENT MICHAEL A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR HIS THIRD BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY THE 24TH. IF YOU HAVEN'T SENT A BIRTHDAY CARD AND WOULD LIKE TO HERE IS THE ADDRESS AGAIN. MICHAEL NOVENCHE C/O NINA NOVENCHE 28 APPLETREE LANE CLIFTON PARK, NEW YORK 12065 MICHAEL'S FATHER JOHN, LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE TODAY, AND HE AND THE FAMILY WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PRAYERS, AND CARDS. THANK YOU!!!!Fortunately, in April 2001 a friend of the family created a web site to provide updates on Michael's current condition. Michael is now seven years old, and according the last update in December 2004, although he isn't yet completely free from the brain tumor, he has recovered sufficiently to attend school:Michael has come so far from the time the original e-mail asking for prayer was sent accross the internet in 2000. In March of 2005, he will celebrate his fifth year of survival since the tumor threatened his life. In a world filled with so much turmoil, truly we have been allowed to see the pure grace of God as He has answered our prayers to give Michael a chance at a normal life. This miracle has allowed Michael to enjoy his second year of attending public school. We believe this to be a direct answer to the prayers so many people have offered up on his behalf. It is, however, important to remember we have barely scratched the surface. Let us pray for the tumor to shrink and disappear now, freeing Michael from this unpredictable situation.
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