A New Alternative Cancer Treatment for Katie Katie is on the move again. Katie, of course, is Katie Wernecke, the 13-year-old cancer patient whose unique, sometimes harrowing story I've followed in the e-Alert for about a year now. (See "Girl Interrupted" 4/10/06, which you can find in the e-Alert archives at hsibaltimore.com). According to a report last week in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Katie and her father Edward left Texas last month so Katie can undergo a new alternative cancer treatment out of state. Last fall, Katie began receiving intravenous vitamin C (IVC) therapy at a Kansas clinic. It's not known if she's returned to that same clinic. The Wernecke's have been asked to not divulge the name or location of the clinic where she's currently receiving treatment. Mr. Wernecke told the Caller-Times, "I really can't say anything because it could jeopardize her treatment." But he did note that the new treatment is something more than IVC. Katie had been taking IVC treatments three times a week at home since November. This new information about Katie has not shown up on the Wernecke's blog - prayforkatie.blogspot.com - where the most recent entry is dated 2/13/06. But I'll be keeping an eye out to report any further news. Katie's blog has an unusual feature that may be of interest to those HSI members who have written asking for information about Katie. In a section of the blog titled Katie's Prayer Page, there's a phone number for Katie's pager: 361-333-5289. When you call, you'll be asked to enter your Zip Code. Katie has a map that she flags to note the location of each caller. Apparently some calls have come from as far away as Britain and New Zealand. The phone number isn't toll free, so you'll incur a long distance charge. Personally, I'm happy to pay whatever small amount my phone company asks in return for letting Katie know that we're out here thinking about her and wishing her well. Sources:
"Katie Leaves State for Treatment" Kathryn Garcia, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 5/9/06, caller.com
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