6-Year-Old Girl with Brain Cancer Hid Love Notes for Her Parents to Find After Her Death

Struck me as kinda bogus. Although it is conceivable that they never once cleaned, you still would think they'd find at least one or two.

Maybe having a daughter dying of brain cancer put the "make sure the dresser drawers and CDs are dusted" priority way down on the bottom of the list. If my daughter was dying I wouldn't spend time doing any more cleaning than absolutely necessary. Dishes and laundry, tops.

It could be that she sprinkled the notes around the house not long before she died.

Using a dead kid to sell a fiction book is pretty low down.

As an experienced oncology nurse of 15 years I knew as soon as I read ".......given 135 days to live....." it was a hoax. Oncologists, and doctors in general, find it very difficult to give any type of specific time frames to dying pts and for this type of specificity, an exact number of days, is impossible.

Shame on anyone who would use cancer and/or a child to profit.

Neat "story".
That's just what it is.. a story.
Pure BS....
From the time to die timeline to the end.... BS

Wow, and I thought I was a cynical bastard!

This story would have to be true. Why would anyone use their child and post her picture if it wasn't That is just asking for bad KARMA

My gosh you people... Is it so hard to believe a good thing once in awhile? Have we become such critics that something that means the world to two people has become a "stunt" for publicity and book money? I might agree that there is alot of screwed up individuals out but come on people. 135 Days is an issue? Try roughly four an a half months, does that sound better to you? I agree with Shannon, this is rediculous. Even if there are some points that could be false, on the slim chance that it is real I think you people need to stop and think-- what if it was your child? What if it was your nephew or niece? What if it was someone who you loved? Would you be so skeptical then?? God bless that little child and her parents. I for one could not imagine loosing my child.

I can't believe what I'm reading in the comments. Whether it is true or not, what if it is and you're talking about this little girl who suffered and died at such a young age.It is not that unbelieveable that a little girl who is dying might want to leave something behind for her parents. I would think that she would leave them towards the end of her life, not when she first discovered she was sick. Have a heart people! The procedes are going to charity and research....

i know this family and i knew elena, and this is all completely true. God bless them.

YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK, CYNICAL FUCKS.

I have a healthy six-year-old daughter who does this exact same thing. Yeah, maybe hundreds of notes are exagerrated, but even one hidden note is very touching.

Sorry people, but this is why the world is the way it is...because of you cynical bastards out there. We live in such a sad society anymore....and it's because of you all who wrote terrible thing. I actually pitty you all, and I hope you never have to go thru something like this!

maybe they spent most of the time in the hospital and worried and could not clean up ?

yes but who tells there 6 year old shes going to die soon in order for her to leave notes?

sounds like bs. yahoo has been postin crap

Here is the story via abc news:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1&page=1

You people are disgusting. Even if you thought it was fake why would you expose yourself as having zero character on a comment board. Seriously folks. Get a life.

Who knows if it's real or fake, you can't tell from this short article. So many of your comments are based on a few words. Read the book and get the WHOLE answer, don't be so quick to judge. Maybe they were finding the notes before she even died but not all of them. The world is cynical, that's how it goes. Maybe if it is a fake, it's ok...because the proceeds from the book are going to help fight pediatric cancer. Don't be so negative!

if you actually read the article you would have noticed that the book was a non profit one used to help fund the research behind pediatric brain cancer you moron and its sad that that is what you post about instead of the actually story about parents losing a child.

Hoenstly guys, lets have a little sympathy. We could be reading an article about a mass murderer or a rapist. Aleast the story is heart felt.

This story is very emotional but as for anyone thats saying this is bull... you dont know that for sure and these kind of things happening are not impossible, Maybe this little girl knew she was going to die and she loved her parents so much that she wanted them to have a reminder of that. Even after she died. I believe it.

Raises a lot of questions "135 Days" to live, How none of the notes were found, and the like... But, BUT That is where "Artistic License" comes in - Even in Life Stories... Some of this could be true, just embelished to make the story better...

#1 have to agree with cuervokate. doctors dont give exact days to live. #2 how would she put notes out just before she died if she doesnt know exactly when that will happen? #3 hidden in dresser drawers? even if you dont do regular cleaning of house, doing laundry would cause you to go into the dresser to put clothes away. remember this is a 6 year old. #4 same for the back packs. mom would go thru the back pack every day after school to see what is going on in school. that is the nature of parenting these days. sorry, but in 8 months they would have found at least some of the notes. even if she didnt put them out until the day before she died, where were they stored for the last 8 months? come on people, take the blinders off! sorry about someone losing a small child, but this is B.S. from the start. look at the facts not just the sad story.

Seriously, whether its true or not leave negative comments off. If these people are lying their judgement day will come. We, as a society, should learn how to keep negative things to ourselves. If you don't believe the story-keep moving. Don't ruin the moment for us.

You people calling this fake, just remember Karma comes around. Have some respect for this sweet child and her family. This is heartwarming and touching. Beautiful story.

I went to high school with the father. Such a sad story. For those of you who are skeptics, this is a very true story.

Look, somtimes you dont notice what a loved one is doing untill they are gone she may have done the whole note thing her whole life and it dident truly touch there hearts till she was gone not to say it wasnt cute while she was alive my kids do all sorts of things its like finding there toys all through the house if I payed attention were my son leaves all of his toys I am sure he will leave them in all my fovorite places that I like to relax only because thats where I am and he likes to be near me i wouldent have payed attention to that untill I read this story or unill he was no longer in my life ( I pray not )seriously think about it

I expected people to say something other thank clean house. You obviously didn't read this very well. Who seriosly dusts inbetween every single CD and book?????????? This kid was smart and this story touched me to know end. Probably because I think my daughter would do the same thing.
This story should touch everyones heart. It is so hard seeing a child die in front of you. I couldn't even imagine. People need to get a heart!!!

The fact that they are donating the money to a good cause and the fact that they do say "in between CD cases, between bookshelves, in dresser drawers, in backpacks", not sure how many people clean between this places on a daily basis, but come on people!!! Have a little heart, the story is nice and its not being put out so people can judge it.
This is what is wrong with this world, anything that is said gets judge. Not good. No wonder we are the way that we are.

Did any of you ever stop to think that maybe they did find some beforehand? Maybe they just didn't talk about it and left them be til after her death? Regardless, what a sweet sentiment for a six year old to leave! Their is no greater loss than that of a child! Those of you who are critics, you're heartless!

Here you go...all you needed to do was GOOGLE...this is the news story about this darling little girl and the parent's book in hopes to raise money for this cause...YES people are terrible!!! This is a true story about a special little girl!

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Weekend-Auction-Planned-In-Memory -Of-6-Year-Old/JEEAahe4nkGirXxTcJsz1A.cspx

I agree that these are some really strange comments from people who don't know if they're cynical assumptions are correct. If they are correct, then I humbly apologize, but I could believe this is trued because I know that kids do things like this.

I'll check it out on snopes.com and submit it if it hasn't been already...

All a scheme by the media. You probably read this and forget that the government put together the 9-11 attacks. "People are easier to control in groups" - Barack Obama

we could all learn a thing or two from this little angel....

They are using the profits to publish a book to fund a non-profit organization, so it is not as though they will benefit personally.

You people are ridiculous. Ms. Oncology Nurse, did you happen to do the math on the 135 days to live? That's about 4 and a half months. I love how everyone is saying "Doctors don't give timelines." uhm yes, they do. Maybe not the doctors you have been in contact with, but some do. I've lost both my parents to cancer and guess what, doctors told us the approximate timeline for both. You don't know everyone and their stories. Not everyone in this world is bad. These people have lost a child, be compassionate!

I think its a great story! my grand mother recently died and did the same thing, leaving notes in very obscure places. I think it had to be tough for the parents to find the first few notes, but after awhile, it would be something to be proud and smile about.

Does anyone remember the old saying: If you can not say something nice, then don't say anything at all. Some of you people need to take it to heart.

WHAT THE F THATS SOOOOOOOO MEAN WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT THAT BEING FAKE!IT COULD BE BUT THAT IS SOOO MEAN BITCHES!

for those who say they are selling that book with her notes in it for profit, didn't u notice that it's for a non-profit organization to help find a cure? Even if it is fake then at least they are doing it to help other people!!!

it's hard to say something nice till it happens to yourlittle girl it happened to mine the out come was better though because she was able to be operated on and is doing fine after three years she also left notes to me so hats off to them

Who cares whether it is true or not, the money goes to an organization to help fight brain cancer. If you don't agree with making money for that then don't buy the book. Jeez

First of all Cuerovokate, your experience as an oncology nurse really means nothing. I too have been a nurse for many years. Worked at many hospitals covering oncology. Just because where you work no Dr would say that doesnt mean somewhere else one wouldnt. Everyone should have a little courtesy for those around them. Who cares if you believe it or not, grow up! Worse case senerio if it wasnt true and least it touches the heart, at least for those who have one. Take your negativity and keep it in your own private lives there is to much of that going around as it is.

I cannot believe some of you fucking people! What if it was YOUR child who died? I'm sure you wouldn't want people saying some of the things that some of you assholes have said. Not only is that just wrong, but it's as disrespectful as it can get. Have a little respect for not only the sweet little angel who passed on, but for her family as well. Some people just should not be permitted on a fucking computer!!!!!!!

This is such a sweet and touching story. I bet the parents cry constantly for the daughter they have lost and to find a love note from her is like her speaking to them from beyond the grave.

I believe that no one is here to judge! Leave that job to the Boss. May all your negativism be forgiven by GOD. Even if the story were not to be true, they are raising money for a cause that could have perhaps saved their daughter's life. Quit hating, just bacause you have a miserable life, doesnt mean that you have to spread all your negativism around the world. Haters!

I think they are probably exagerating when they say they found hundreds of notes, but it is totally possible that this story is partialy true. My brother died on a car/bicycle accident at age 7 and after he was gone (and yes, my mom used to clean the house) we found in every drawer and every corner of the house something that reminded us of him. We try to put away the big stuff, but you will be surpeised of how much of a kid can left behind (small toys, paper wraps, etc.), in this case without being planned. Plaese feel compassion for this folks. Read the story and try to imagine how hard it is for a parent to lose his/her child. And yes, after the child is gone the smallest of things will remind us of them.

This was the sweetest story.Bless her heart for being so thoughtful to help her parents get thru a difficult time.I would only want to be so lucky to find a note from a love one gone on.

Listen- I have several family members that have died from Cancer. One I lost in the past 6 months, and I have one suffering with it now. Regardless of the age of it's victim, Cancer is an awful thing and any money that is made to support efforts to cure it is commendable.
That being said, I know from the several relatives that have passed, they do not give time frames in days. They give time frames in months (such as 3-6 months or 6-12 months) if they give time frames at all.
The idea of someone saying 135 days (or 4 1/2 months as someone commented)is not probable.
However, as I mentioned, if the money is going to finding a cure or treatment for this disease that has taken so many lives, then I appreciate anything that may raise money and awareness for the cause.

Even if it is fake, which I won't take the time to judge, the money is going toward something great. Just stop judging, you don't know everything.

I am shocked at how quick to judge half of you people are. Even if this was/is a false story, it is touching. How much lower can you get then to make harsh comment about a story like this. Instead of thinking about it as some other person's daughter think of it as your grandmother or someone who is important to you. Maybe instead of being so quick to judge you can put yourself in there shoes. anyone who commented on this negatively, you just make the rest of society look bad by your lack of concern or care. So do us all a favor and keep your comments to yourself.

Wow, what has this world come to? Even a heartfelt story of the death of an innocent child receives negative and critical comments?

It makes me really sad to read some of these comments. How have we become such a cinical and mean society. A innocent child lost her life. Is it so wrong to believe that she left these notes for her parents, I dont think so. This story warmed my heart until I read some of the awful comments. Grow a heart people.

shame on all of you for saying this is fake. i think those of you saying this do not grasp the concept of losing a loved one, and the way this story could bring tears to your eyes.having lost a mother, sister , and husband between 2004-2007, this story beats close to my heart. this little girl died, so does it really matter if the notes are fake or not?

Seriously! What is with some people. This is the parent way of coping with their tragic loss of there 6 yr old. Who cleans when they are busy tending to a sick child and who cleans after the loss of a close loved one? Some doctors do give exact days. They did with my grandfather. so you synical basters get a freaking life and go bash on somebody your own size!!!!!

Did any of you naysayers read the part about the proceeds of the book? Wouldn't this indicate they are NOT doing it for the $$.

Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, have now published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer.

I like to believe there is no way in hell this would be fabricated.

What is wrong with you people! If anything shame on you. I wonder if any of you have kids that love you enough to draw and leave "letters" for you cause I do and ironically they look very similar and they are in all sorts of strange places. I have at least two drawers full. Try and think of how sneaky kids are and what the real message is. We need a cure for CANCER not to mention statically all of you nasty's above probably know someone who has passed from cancer. Additionally you don’t give a damn about your home when you’re probably spending most of your time at the hospital, not to mention welcome to the indulgence of the media (and who cares hopefully it does add a few bucks for a cure) its people like you who make us as Americans and humans in generally look like selfish non-compassionate POS! Do you think it’s even feasible that maybe she had an adult friend help her. Even if it is fake we still need a cure and I rather be gullible and compassionate than be you.

The fact that people are reading this story... developing a negative opinion... and then feeling the need to voice it is beyond aggravating. THE PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY. Grow a heart!!! Oh and congrats on the sheep skin. Mom must be so proud.

You cynical blobs of crap need to look in the mirror in disgust and ask yourself if you deserve the life that has been given to you because you sure as hell don't deserve it based on your short sighted, knee-jerk, jealous statements.

Yes, it CAN happen! My mother who was dying of lung cancer did the same thing.After she passed away in 2002 I found notes and drawings throughout her home, in books,drawers,file cabinets, little notes, tokens of love hidden all over her home.I'll pray for you unfortunate skeptics who have never been so blessed!

Well I do agree with the 135 days..but how do you know that this 6 year old had a very close and playful relationship with her parents..leaving little "hugs" around was for the parents not the little girl...there is no greater loss than that of a child..remember this could have been you!!!

that is so sweet!!!!:)

Wow!! You people can be mean!!!! I don't care if the story is true or not, let's go back to the "Golden rule"! If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!!!!!! What if something like this were to happen to you, and everyone made fun of you and called you a liar? Then how would you feel? People these days are way too quick to judge!!!!!!!!!! I don't want anyone to sit and judge me, and I don't think anyone else does either! My heart goes out to this family!!!!

wow, i cant believe people are so negative, even if it was fake, its worth it
just the fact that we were able to feel something is an acomplishment, in a society that is quickly learning not to feel anything,
shame on us,,
lets change that trend and learn to be soft hearted,

Wow, you would think people would be more sympathetic. I found the story touching and Im sure if I found out my daughter was dying of brain cancer, the last thing from my mind would be cleaning the bookshelf off.

I'm going with the 15yr veteran nurse. I am sure there are a lot of inexperienced people commenting on how it was reas or fake. But a nurse for 15 years would probably know more. It would be nice if the story is real, and messed up if its fake.

Seriously people...when a child has cancer, especially a fatal kind, they and the family are not in the house that much. THey are at the doctor or a specialist not always in the same state. Don't you think that these parents have something better to do after their daughter died than make up a story that WILL NOT provide any income for them. Anyone that has gone through this can tell you that children are not stupid. They get when they are dying and they are better prepared and willing to accept it than the loved ones they leave behind. I believe that this story is true and there are more out there like this. It is sad for those of you who do not believe that God would give a child the strength and wisdom to help their family through such a hard time.

I 100% believe these parents and this story!!! My mother is a hospice care nurse and doctors do give estimated time frames of when a child will live for!!! Every doc is different but it is common practice to prepare parents for the worse and not get their hope sup if their is no hope! My cousin passed very tragiclly and very soon at 19 and we found written all over the place I love my mom and dad etc....now maybe we would have noticed these things before she died but it was't until she died that they stuck out and meant so much even though they might have been placed way before her death they still were so special and meant so much to see them and read and yes it does feel like a big hug..anything you can create in your mind to hold onto your child and en able you to get by each day without the thoughts of wanting your life to end is a miracle..If you have not suffered the lose of a child then you have no room to judge it is the worse thing in this world and if this family has put together a book to help others who have lost a child then GOD BLESS THEM!!!!!!!!!! They are angels for doing so many who have lost a child become lost themselves and for this family toput that aside to write a book to help others then they are angels and shame on anyone else to question!!!

I doubt this is fake. Even if they were trying to use this to sell a book, if you have read the story, the money from the book is going to fund a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer. Shame on all of you that posted negative and hurtful comments...absolutely disgusting.

god bless u guys dont listen to stupid ppl . i geuss they have never loss someone in thier life and that is sad to write somthing like this .im so sorry for ur loss my biggest fear is to loss one of my children . and then to try to go on. she is watching over u anddont forget that . ill pray for u and ur family .

absolutely unbelievable some people's disgusting ability to be so down right evil since their identity is shrowded by a username instead of a a real name. I challenge the people that posted this hatred reveal there names to this unfortunate parents. Nothing would make me happier than to see these complete morons eat their words and apologise in person!!!!

disgusting and should be ashamed of ourselves

Well, I notice that some of you folks say docs don't give a time span for their victims' illnesses. Just ain't so, people. Mine gave me a very definite time to die and this came from a noted specialist in his field.

My sympathies are with this family whose daughter has died. I don't care if the child wrote little notes or
not. They're still hurting if they've lost their daughter.

you are all such A-holes. it doesnt say they just found the notes in one day!!! they were found over a period of time, so im sure they found a couple here and there (in the dresser probably right away, then the back pack or whatever).

What the F is wrong with Americans nowadays trying to bring everyones goodness down? quit being so conceited and selfish. I'm a marine, i fought for my country and love it to death, but i'm getting tired of the people that live here with no morals or respect for others.

It's a true story jerks!!!

Get real people. If your looking for a fantasy story, go watch cinderella or something. This is such a BS story!!!

Why does everything always have to be negative would be nice if everyone would take the time to look for the good in things first there is always bad you don't have to look for it. it is all around you start looking at yourself first maybee you can change something bad in you for the good

You people are small, cold and clearly pathetic. If you bother to do a search on this girl you'll see the interview on good morning america.

Guy - you obviously don't have any kids! Any kid, any age has the right to know about their health. Kids are actually more accepting of the truth than most adults - they are quite resileent. Why don't you donate your time at a children's hospital and find out?????

For those of you with neg comments shame on you ! If you have a child with cancer most of your time is at the hospital or dealing with the illness not vacuuming or doing everyday chores! It just goes to show you how clueless people are when it comes to childhood cancer ! thanks for sharing that touching story !

I cannot belive some of the pathetic, rude and heartless comments left on here. What does it matter if they were told she had 135 days to live or 79 or 102. I don't care if you think this is fake or BS, someone has lost a child to cancer. I find it hard to believe that people are focusing on the $$$$ aspect and not the love aspect. Have you ever lost someone to cancer, especially a child? I am sure her parents spent every minute of every day focusing on her and not cleaning their home. I am so disgusted with the mentality of some people - get over yourselves.

GOOD DAY all
yes.... even to you all not so nice people that are so very quick to judge. let me ask you a question for example.... what if you took your mom/dad/brother/sister/son/daughter/grandchild to the doctor and found out that they have a cancer and they do not have a lot of time left to live. im sure the 1st thing you will do after you get back home is say well they got cancer and who knows how long to live. well LETS START CLEANING THE HOUSE cause its kinda dirty. or WOULD YOU SAY F#&% the house im gonna spend AS MUCH TIME WITH MY LOVED ONE AS I CAN. because WE are not promised that we will all wake up tommorow and when you hear that you have a death cloud above your head im sure YOU all would forget about the clean/dirty house and maybe you just maybe even forget to eat sleep and do a lot of NORMAL things that should be done everyday.... so even if YOU dont believe it ,i pray that I and YOU ALL never have to find out what you would or wouldnt do in this same kind of situation.... remember GOD/JESUS/and/or/WHOM/ WHAT EVER you believe in will make sure to protect you me and the ones we love....i will pray for the sweet angels family and maybe you YES YOU should too.... bless me you and even them too????????

Damn that is some moving shit......

I, for one, think this is very realistic, and very heart warming. Your 6 year old died of a brain tumor. What are you going to do? Start cleaning as soon as you get back from the funeral? Some people take lots of time to mourn their loved ones death, especially if its a young child, your child, who outlived you. Hundreds of notes...it may be an exaggeration...But I know I still find small little notes and doo-dads hidden in the crannies of my house.
This is for sure, not fake, but take it as an inspiring story. Your daughter looking over you...like a small angel. It gives you hope.

Wow you people are sad, its a nice story and who the hell would clean their cd cases I dont ever heard of itunes...who even uses cd's anymore...you people are pathetic thinking this is fake. I like the story and I believe it I wish my mom who died left me notes. Besides if you had winter draweres there's a good chance you wouldnt use them all year roundm you mean to tell me you all go in each and every drawer every day or month? I dont and I only have one large dresser, and small chests with drawers. Your all losers and should be ashamed for knocking the story. The book is being made to help raise money for a cause not so they can go buy a corvette!!!!!

135 days works out to four and a half months. It's very possible that the doctor would tell them that she only had four and a half months to live. As for hiding notes in dressers and between cd's - how often do you go through every single one of your cd's? In dresser drawers - I know for a fact that I have clothes in my drawers that I don't move very often, if something was under it I'd have no clue. Be nice people I think this is a sweet and true story.

I am a broken hearted mother who just buried my son. He died of a brain tumor. I spent every minute with him and did find time to clean, but I don't condemn them for not finding the notes sooner. I am sure they feel very blessed. Losing a child is nothing people should be faking.

Agreed that after "Balloon Boy", ANYTHING is possible in these hard economic times. Parents are certainly NOT above using their kids as a commodity to make a quick buck. Balloon Boy reality parents did it, the ugly dude with the eight kids, and so forth. Granted, they claim the money is going to charity, but in 2009 not all is as what it seems. I'd be willing to believe one note was left somewhere in the house, but hundreds? Really? This kid obviously had a lot of extra energy to be running around the house hiding notes. Apparently the parents weren't paying very close attention when this kid only had 100+ days to live. To post the exact number of days left to live does seem a bit like those countdown clocks that calculate to the exact day, hour, minute, and second. Did they have one of those running over the kid's bed? Quit being such a bleeding heart liberal for once in your life and accept people use their kids as profit tokens.

I lost my daughter 6 years ago from cancer and it has changed my life forever. Everytime I find anything she wrote or loved when she was alive I cherish it. It's all I have left. How dare anyone diminish such a beautiful gift from a very special child.

i love you and you and her and him and even all you rude and not so nice people....
god jesus bless US ALL.... YES I SAID ALL OF US!!!!!!!

PLEASE PRAY 4 THE WORLDS SICK AND HOMELESS MEN/ WOMEN/ AND CHILDERN

If she did leave it or if she didn't who are you to be judging her and her family? Just because you see something that is truly amazing you have to assume it's not true?

I'm a nurse too and some Doctors do give time frames. The Dr told the parents the child had 4.5 months. People often demand these estimates. If this child was at home or a hospital bed she would have ample time to make these notes. Our six year old often hid notes too. Once she hid a Father's day note taped to a coat hanger in the coat closet before she went to visit her mom. My husband happened to find it 2 weeks later on Father's day. I suppose half of you don't believe that.
I just don't think that people who are caring enough to raise money for charity are apt to be con artists.

How can people be so ignorant? This story is very heart warming. I can't believe there are idiot people out there that only look at the glass half empty vs. half full. Stop judging what is wrong with life and start enjoying life for what it is. It is unfortunate that this family no longer has their loving child's pressence and you have dirtbag people ruining the story itself. If you don't believe in it; it is your right but don't talk unless you have facts. What is wrong with our society when all people give a crap about is trying to find lies and disproving the truth without having actual facts. GET A LIFE!!!!!

I hope none of you would never have the experience of loosing a child. I did and I believe them, this happen to me also, after my daughter went back to our Lord House, I started to find many notes of love.

Wow

As adults we might want to take heed from what children teach us of what is really important remembering to give of ourselves and to the adults who are acting like spoiled brats well you know what you can do. My wife is an 8 year survivor and my father died of brain cancer I don't wish this pain on anyone and for a child to be so thoughtful those parents did something right

I agree with Trenton on this. If you people would stop using negative energy/negative remarks and do some research...duuuuhhhhh...the internet is the most resourceful place to find out truth from lies. Now go read up at this link... http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33505113/ns/today-today_books/

Also, you negative people...all of you are probably one of those that send forwards that are not at all true and don't even both checking them out and believe the lies.

Whether or not this story is bs, in which I don't believe it is, it doesn't change the fact the this little girl died at such a young age. According to the Social Security Death Index she did exist, which states:
Name: Elena Rosemary Desserich
SSN: 273-06-9654
Last Residence:
Born: 21 Dec 2000
Died: 11 Aug 2007
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (2001-2002)
I don't think her parents would make this up..what would they gain from it. All the money is donated to the pediatric brain cancer fund anyhow.

I agree with the oncology nurse, as an icu nurse for 15 years, you never never give a time period for life expectancy, especially in days. But it was a nice story...just a little exagerated

this is soooooo sad.OMG

to the people who think this is fake

dont any of you have kids?

a six year old would have plenty of time to do those letters in a few days. she didnt have work, she couldnt hang out with friends at the mall, etc. she was a child doing what children do and thats color and stuff. when i was a kid i used to write letters and hide em in places for my mom to find when shes sad or upset. it would make her smile when she found them.

another thing, if your child died, what would u do with their stuff? you go through them. also dont act like when u clean, the whole entire house has to be spot less. i dont clean behind the bookself or the dresser.

god bless the family.

published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization that says non profit so i dont believe the parents is doing this for money this is a heart warming story and like many others said i would of spent my time with my child not worrying about the house to much

Well, I have kids. I have also lost a child. Whether this story is made up as some of you suggest or true, as I will believe, it certainly is touching just thinking about it.

I have to say that maybe a close family friend helped her do the coloring, and decided to hide the pieces for her! I think it is HORRIBLE that everyone responding in a less than honorable way to this story should look at their life, and their family, and think about the situation as it could pertain to his or her life. When my mother passed away from cancer, we were going through her things, and she left myself and each of my siblings a letter! And whether she hid them or not regardless of when, it meant alot to all of us to feel her presence and hear her voice in our heads while reading them! I am sure these parents are just letting her spirit live in them, and wanted to share with the world so we can know that there are ways to make our loved ones be able to cope just a little better everyday! And if nothing more comes from this story, maybe another family could do this for themselves. If you are truly skeptical....STOP READING ABOUT GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO PEOPLE!!!!! Obviously you have the perfect life! So you have nothing better to do with your time but ridicule and judge every good thing that happens in the news!!

I was expecting something good on the comments, instead a lot of skeptical people. I have a feeling that after the balloon boy incident there will be skeptical people in just about every article.

If you're kid was dying you would want to spent most of your time with him/her and you wouldn't really care about anything else besides her. You people need to understand that she was more important than the house being cleaned.

What an inspirational story. What an amazing girl.

I lost my daughter in 1976 at the age of 8. She had leukemia. You don't have to tell your child shes going to die - kids at school will do that for you. Kids can be so cruel. She was always in the room as the doctors would talk to us. Kids are not dumb - they know more than you think. My heart goes out to this family.

All I can say to the negative posters is... Shame on you!! Whether or not you believe the story, or choose to believe it, you don't have to leave comments like the one you did. No one is twisting your arm to buy the book and donate to charity.. don't believe the story if you don't want, who cares... but for those who have a heart and want to belive don't need to read those types of comments. Let the family grieve the way they need to. I know if one of my children were diagnosed with a terminal illness and I found notes around the house... either before or after their death, I would cherish them forever, and I find it commendable the parents are willing to share their grief for a good cause... research on pediatric cancer! I don't consider what they're doing is using the death of a child to get fame and fortune... I see it as their way of helping to prevent another family from having to go through this type of loss.

This story can't be a lie. My friend just died of cancer and her parents spent so much time in the hospital that they did not clean the house at all. Some of her friends went over to the house and helped them clean so that they could focuse on their sick child. As to the notes they are very tuching and i wish i had notes from my friend stile.

This is so cute!! I'm sorry about Elena, she seems like a sweet girl! Just ignore all the other rude comments and you are lucky to have a little girl like that!

A few points here. I don't know if it's true or not. Some of you are filling in details that aren't there. I CAN say after having gone through taking care of someone with a terminal illness, notes hidden in bookcases, in CDs or at the bottom of drawers might not be discovered for months. You are dealing with too much and, believe me, you aren't thinking about cleaning out the bottom of drawers or bookcases. This doesn't say WHEN she started leaving them. Hell, 6-year-old kid, she could've written all of them a week after she was first diagnosed. If it IS true they probably have no idea when or for how long she did it. The writer who said doctors don't give you a specific number of days you're expected to live is correct. I suspect that if it is true the writer was adding some drama. I don't like to be hoodwinked no matter how heartwarming the story, but I'm not convinced that that is the case.

There is an old Grimms fairy tale about a child given a penny to put into the poor box, but instead hides the coin under a floorboard. The child got sick and died. Every evening the childs spirit returned to her bedroom looking under the floor for the coin. Her grieving parents saw her spirit searching and looked under the floor themselves. Finding the coin, they knew what she was searching for, and put it into the poorbox. The childs spirit was at peace and never returned.
The fairy tale is from the 1700's but based on common folklore! Anyone who does not believe the present story is possible, should pray to see the light.

Seriously "dcelmer" #1 I think you should go visit a hospital where people have just passed due to cancer and ask their families how much time was given to them because they to "at times" give you an ESTIMATED time to live. #2 This sounds like they were a close family with good values passed on to their beautiful daughter who was filled with sweet innocents. #3 hidden in dresser drawers!?! I guess you only have 1 drawer in your entire home so when it is laundry time its empty. Other people have more then 1 person living in the home which calls for more then just one drawer. And yes, it is a 6 year old, so I already know you have no kids to know they LOVE to hide things and have a huge imagination. Finally #4 "mom would go through the backpacks" that's great for you. Other people in their home have more then 1 book bag in their closet. Moms purses she don't use, luggage that does not get used very often or even an old gym bag. Really no one here is asking anyone to solve a mystery its just a family sharing their story. So either read it and go on with your day or say a simply "god bless"

I have to say I am really shocked at the negative comments. Is this what society has become? You can't even read a heartfelt story about a grieving family without "calling BS". Do you guys kick the casket at a funeral just to make sure the dude is really dead? What a bunch of sheltered a-holes. Maybe if you got out from behind the computer for a few seconds and developed some actual human connections, you could understand what this story is about. Geesh!

Some of you guys are so cynical it's sad. Quit picking apart this article and check on the story. Looks to me like part of all this is the fault of the writer and part due to publicity. At the end of the day, there was a little girl who died, but loved her parents enough to make a bunch of little love hotes for them.

I bet you like to go out kick puppies for fun...

All the negativity. Really pathetic. I feel for that family. And the people harping on 135 days...another way of saying four and a half months. I wouldn't be shocked to hear a doctor say that. Half way between 3-6 months.

It pains me to have to state the obvious to all the pathetic critics on here, but it seems to me that these parents may have actually found some of these notes from time to time BEFORE their child died . . . and thought it was just a random kind thought that she left on a given day. They would still have no way of knowing that she hid so many of them that they might continue to find them after she passed away.

As for the time frame, I lost a sister to cancer . . .and the doctor sure did give her a time frame (6 to 9 months) . . .which in MY MIND I translated into how many days I might have left with my wonderful sister.

So bravo to all of you who are not so cynical!!! The rest of you may now crawl back into your dark, damp caves and continue to hate life and people!!!

Sorry to hear about their loss, but you would think that they would find at least one of hundreds in 255 days!! Plus, it said that she died in 2007, so why is it just becoming famous at the end of 2009!? And they are selling a book.. probably just to make money. There are such crooked people out there these days.

Wow cant believe how ignorant some people still are these days. This is why the human race will never change cause of negative people like you guys. i think this is an awesome story real or not. I have a daughter of my own and if that ever would happen (heaven forbid) it would be such joy to see her around the house still even after she is gone.

for all you heartless morons out there, it is obvious that the girl knew she was dying, and left the little notes around for her parents to find, and secondly why would you clean between cd cases? if you dont get them out then you dont need to clean between them. and thirdly, maybe her parents were more concerned bout their kid then the clean, i know i would be.

you heartless people need to go back to school and learn some compassion, wait till something bad happens to you, and it is put on the internet. come on have a heart

Check out ABC Good Morning America

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

I belive this. It doesn't say when the notes were found. Or where. They could have been in the childs room in books, toyboxes, under a doll, taped about a month or two later on a wall calender. Kids are resourseful. I am a neat freak and when my 9 year old graddaughter comes to visit, its weeks before I find little notes. I moved out of state and it wasn't until I went to look for a piece of paper to write a phone number on, that I found one she wrote 5 years agao on a little note pad that was a magnet on my fridge. How often does someone pull out all their CD's?

Made me cry.

I believe that little girl did that, since my granddaughter is the same age and she works on notes to her parents every day and sometimes several a day. The little girl probably did not know she was going to leave; I doubt her parents told her that. I think the world is in a lot of trouble with judgmental people like this around. I believe that love never fails, and a 6-year-old little girl is full of love for her parents who lived their love for her. May God be with them.

To cuervokate...I'm very sorry for your cancer patients that they have such a cynical person on their treatment team. If you truly were as "experienced" as you claim you would realize that just because the person writing the story stated an exact number of days doesn't mean it's a hoax...you should know that a prognosis of 4-5 months isn't out of the ordinary in this case. There is enough sadness and pessimism in this field already, let's not dump on the positive stories that give us some hope and remind us of the innocence of childhood and what is important in life. Your life must be a very dark place (job aside)!

to schorsch:
DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN EVERY GOOD STORY IN THE NEWS? YOU ARE HORRIBLE! I THINK IT WAS SWEET OF THE GIRL TO DO THAT! KEEP YOU HORRIBLE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF! THANKS!ANONYMOUS

People don't share touching stories like these anymore! First off-- everyone thinks they're "bogus." Second off doctors do give estimates and so sorry that chores don't get done. If that were me I'd say screw cleaning I'm going out with my child to cherish every moment I have with her!
We need more inspiring stories like these! Thank you and my heart goes out for you! Keep those prayers up for all those who are fighting for cancer today...

WOW!!!this brought tears to my eyes god bless that little angel and to those who want to leave mean comments get lost maybe the little angel knew she was getting ready to go and decided that she wanted tohide the notes befor she got any weaker thisstory has touched my heart i know how it feels to lose someone ulove i just lost my brother march 28th 2009 with a life long battle of diabetes he just turned 31 onmarch 26th he out lived the dr saying they told him he would be gone by the time he was 18 he lived on july 19 2009 i lost my dad to diabetes heartissues kindney and liver so i knowhow it feels may god be with you and remember theyare our angels watching over us

guys, remember even this is true or fake story we all know better that one thing. They have lost their 6 years old baby.
so, common people think about it over before you make any comments.

Please read the book before you judge this family. You can borrow a copy from your local library for free. Whether you belive the story or not, it is a wonderful story about family, life, love, and how to live each day to the fullest without taking things for granted. You will definately think twice the next time you spend time with your kids.

It is so depressing the number of disgusting people out there. First of all, despite the comments of the alleged oncology nurse, doctors tell people all the time how long they may have. Secondly, the doctor probably told the parents in months and the dad translated it into days. Thirdly, children ALWAYS know they are dying, and often worry more about the people they will leave behind than about their own sickness. They are brave beyond words, and the ones who have parents who are honest with them and assure them they will be OK are lucky children. Finally, did some of you morons miss the fact that the proceeds from the book is going to the foundation for research into pediatric brain cancers?
It is such a shame that sweet little people die of cancer and people like some of you live on and continue to spread your own type of cancer in this world!

to everyone leaving the negative comments about this story; you make me sick!!!the story is real and in fact someone left a link in their comment that had the story on abc news...i watched it, and i am still wiping the tears away...that little girl was so brave in her time of dispair, more so then any of you cynical heartless bastards leaving negative comments..you're the kind of people who stay home from work because you stubbed your toe,or maybe there is a sale at Macys', and you just cant miss it..this little angel was so true and brave until her very last moment...you could learn a thing or two from her story about how to be decent human beings...shame on you!! my thoughts and prayers go out to her parents and family..god bless that little angel..

Rice Krispie treat cereal is hands down the best cereal on the planet

So maybe your all reading a bit much into the story? Its quite possible (having raised my children and grandchildren) this child ALWAYS hid notes? It may not have been until after her untimely demise that the notes where recognized for the true value they held, unconditional love!
And this my friends is what its all about, if these books sell and the money helps other family's and children then I say GO GO GO !!!!!
Please pull your pessimistic heads out of the sand and have some faith!

Sherri, I totally agree.
The proceeds are going to a good cause.
Perhaps the family found a few and so what if they did? Ruined her game of hide and seek???
For those who are skeptical about the time that has passed since her death, maybe it's because it took a long time to find the hundreds of notes she left. Then they had to find a publisher and compile everything into a book. Then it had to catch the attention of people and have it posted online. Things don't happen overnight.
I fully believe that this is true and definitely support their good cause.

This is a sad story and I wish the best for the child's family.

I think it's a fake, how could they go that long without finding anything. And asking for funds for cancer research, when no one wants a cure, because cures are no money. Without money, no one can profit. besides there already is a cure. For all cancer and Aids. No one has to die because of HIV or cancer, but they will keep dying no matter what because no one will tell you what the cure is. Unless you go to an Herbal Doctor. Regular Doctors are paid by the drug cartels or companies to shut up. I pity America or Canada or the world, for they are being mislead for the green($)

Did it ever occur to you that maybe they found random ones along the way, and just thought this is sweet, but then when she was gone, they found more of them, and started looking for them when they found more like 10 of them.

How about everyone take a sec. to check to see if it is true or not....

I got this from a google search of the little girls name - this is from ABC people.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves say this sorry is fake with out fact checking first.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

Ok for all these people who are being asses try googling something every once and a while. Try putting her name into a search engine. Follow this link if you want to know what really happened because evern this story is wrong. She wasnt 6 she was 5 and they didnt even say anything on a time frame for her.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

Yes it was abc news... feel like a butthead now?

Seriously, what is wrong with some of you people? Are you that cynical? This story has been in the news cycle long enough, that if it was a hoax it would have been uncovered by now. And sure, maybe the parents found some of the notes before she died. What difference does that make? They never said they didn't. Put yourself in their shoes, if you found some before she died, would you then go scour the house and try to find them all? Wouldn't that ruin their daughters intent? Wouldn't you want to be able to find notes after she died, and too honor her wishes and intentions in hiding them? Jesus people, you might want sand paper some of those calluses off of your heart.

I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE WHEN I SAY "HOUSE WORK ALONG WITH COOKING, WATCHING TV GOING SHOPPING AND ETC.... ARE THE LAST THINGS YOU WORRY ABOUT WHEN YOU KNOW YOR TIME WITH YOUR CHILD IS LIMITED!!!!" I was a cleaning neat freak at one time. You werent allowed to wear shoes in my house even if you were only gonna be there 5 minutes. When my son became very ill, primarily bed bound and tube fed, I concentrated on spending every moment with him and let everything else go. Some nights I barely slept due to fear of him dying while I slept. The last year of his life he was in our room so we could hear him at all times. He passed away 4/4/07 at 3am and i was awake at that moment and attempted CPR till the paramedics arrived. My friends even made comments on how different I had become with my home. As a matter of fact 2 and a half years later some things remain the same. SO YES IT IS POSSIBLE THAT NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND TILL NOW AND THERE COULD BE MORE THINGS FOUND. Losing a child and having to bury them before ourselfs is something i wouldnt wish upon anybody, not even my worst enemy.......

I thought people were going to leaving positive comments, but when I started to read them.. they got negative.
This story touched my heart, and I almost cried. My eyes started to water.

I do believe its true. When I started to read the comments, I started to think about it.. but I still think it's true.

oh my goodness.. what is wrong with you people. I have a 5 year old who writes notes like this all the time, I find them everywhere and throw most of them away (although I love seeing them). Perhaps these parents were still doing that with the ones they found while she was alive, and are now touched by the ones they are luckily finding after she died. If I were them I would treasure any note found afterward and think about all of the ones I threw away while tidying up when she was alive. With respect to the dusting the cd comments - are you kidding? is that what you'd be doing if your daughter was dying of brain cancer? Also, I have friends and family members who were indeed given an estimate of how long they had left to live after a cancer diagnosis. So it is ridiculous that that is your proof that this is a fake story. P.S., why would they fake this? they are not making any money off the book. I think this is a sweet tribute to their daughter, and I hope to never be in their position.

Beautiful story!! and a wonderful little girl. I am happy the family was kind enough to share their very devistating story with us all.

Shame on you people for leaving such negative comments!!! May God Bless her Family Always, she is now and Forever God's Little Angel. <3

Kalel, you're funny. I read your post. Did you read the one I posted earlier?? # 242

This is a sad yet beautiful story. It was good to watch the family on the today show and see how they are still able to live their lives fully after all they have been through. Bless them.

Its very sad that the comments here were not put into consideration for the family. That most did not look farther into the story, but rather judged on this excerpt.

this is very touchn .....i work with kids this age and they're very creative....i believe she is watchn over them.....R I P LIL MAMA

To the naysayers how pathetic and ignorant can you be?They are donating all the money to cancer research from the book but they wrote it to make money?

i believe this and yes they do give a time frame ive known at least 3 people with cancer and they give suggested times they will die.. and i do believe that she would be able to leave them in cd cases and hide them places.. sorry but i wouldnt be deep cleaning when im trying to spend every second i can with my dying daughter... and really how many people look at there cd's dvd's everyday u minght put away an old cd and never listen to them or a dvd and not watch it... i know people whos children have died and i can tell u there rooms are exactly the way they were left... so im sure notes and things like that can be found people with negitive feedback are just disrespectful..

Some people just cannot stop with the negativity. I too have a nursing background and perhaps parents broke the months in days to feel like they have more time with their child. The things parents will do to have just one more day with their dying child. As far as the notes, very possible and more than you realize. As a school teacher I find them everywhere and I must say, they were a blessing to that grieving family. As for you suspicious minded individuals, the book procedes are going towards a childrens Cancer organization. Do something good and buy it for someone you love and keep these messages going. By the negative responses, the World needs more Love and messages of Faith. The crayon is mightier than the sword when held by a courageous 6 year old. God Bless her family.

Wanna know if it's true?

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

As a Mom to a beautiful little girl, I would love to have found notes if anything were to happen. And yes I do believe that a six year old knowing she was dying, would leave notes behind. She knew what was going on they probably didnt hide anything from her. Why is it so hard for some people to believe that a child could be so thoughtful. Its a gift from God, to find a note. It makes you stop and smile and a minute in your busy day and think about your child.

I am touched. Since I can't remember when, I've left notes for my kids like this. And they've begun to do the same. If indeed this book is for helping others, GREAT! Otherwise, use it for inspiration to give your kids your time and love.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1&page=1

My family member recently died from brain cancer. He was given 90-days and lived excatly 165 days after being diagnosed. His spouse spent day and night taking care of him, keeping doctor's appointments, caring for him when he was bed ridden...all while trying to earn a living. Needless to say, housework was put on the very back burner.

What a beleivable and touching story. I am sorry for their loss.

Wow...I cannot believe the triteness submitted by some. When a loved one has cancer, the top priority might not be to clean every nook and cranny, but rather do what you can to enjoy life and hopefully see them healthy again.

What robbed you of your joy???

Either way there is a chance that she left notes in places she knew they would not loook for a while. I am an early childhood specialist and some 6 years olds are able to understand what this means...this art work was done by a child either way and the $ goes to research..this is away for these parents to immortalize their baby girl..so let them. Nobody said you HAD to buy the book.

I don't think the people that doubt the story here are evil and heartless. A lot of them just may be skeptical because, despite what many of you say, there are people out there who will do anything for personal gain, and that includes exploiting their own children. Remember the Heene's? However, after reading this story, I don't think that the parents trying to sell a sob story get a book deal or reality show. It truly is a heartbreaking and bittersweet ordeal. I'm not defending the A-holes that are just trying to get a reaction out of people while hiding behind a screen name. I can just understand why some people may be hesitant to believe what they hear.

What a wonderful child to ensure her family knows the love she has for them.

These self-proclaimed "oncologists and nurses" are the real story tellers here. Obviously they have no idea what doctors say or don't say with regards to life expectancy. Those of us who have lived with a terminal cancer patient and watched them die know full well that the doctors do their best to give an accurate life expectancy, just as they did for my grandfather and my step mother. Sometimes they are on the mark, sometimes we get lucky.

I found this very touching because it sounds just like something my sweet seven year old daughter would do. She leaves me dozens of love notes all the time for no reason at all. I think the parents were motivated to tell the story in a book because they were so humbled by her gesture and can't bear the thought of their precious daughter being forgotten. Can you blame them?

The article clearly states that the proceeds go to a non-profit organization to fight pediatric brain cancer. So you people who are saying the parents did this for money.........all I can say is I hope something like this never happens to you. You should be ashamed of yourselves and how judgemental and negative some of you are. I'm ashamed that I have to share this planet with people like you.

The parents found the notes in 2007 after she died! It's 2009. They probably decided now to do something good with the notes - this is not only easing their pain, but something in her memory is going for a good cause. Some of your cruel comments were unwarranted. Grow a heart. Who raised you? Satan?!

You know some of you are the reason there is no love left in this world. I have two girls and I always am finding stuff they made years ago and I am a clean freak. I have found pictures and stuff in books videos behind a picture in a frame etc. If you are a skeptic to something like this then you need a giant hug. Someone has obviously treated you horrible to make you so hateful.

I think this is an wonderful story. I cant believe some of the things i am reading on here though. You should be ashamed saying such horrible things about this family!!! You not being personally involved have NO idea what the doctor told the family or how often they cleaned or when the little girl left the notes!!!! to just assumed such a horrible thing just makes you look bad as people. I think it is heart warming and such a great thing that they made a book to share their story with the world.

Wow, it's nice to see so many pessimistic people around. Yes, she died in 2007, and now two years later, the book is being published. It takes a while to get something put together to actually make a book. They probably found them a month after she passed.

Since when do they not give a time frame? My best friends grandma was given three months and made it to four. That's 90 days and she lived 120. That's a time frame. The author of the article took some liberties to make the story more interesting.

And it just said at the bottom the book goes to a non profit organization. So what if parents want to inspire others by publishing the notes their daughter left?

We should all be so fortunate to see such beauty and love in this world; only a child can show it these days.

P.S. Linda, comment #165, my prayers are with you as well.

I just like to say as a mom who lost my son last year. How after his death, we gave him a party. And my daughter took a picture of the banner I made, and said, Steve I'll never see you again. Then when she look back at the picture, he's on it, smiling. I will always cherish it, and to know that they can see us. And reach out.Be encouraged....MEMA

You people are sick. I'm young but I'm not naive. How would you feel if your daughter was going to die of cancer?! Would you waste all yout time cleaning? An innocent, young girl dies and you're saying her affection for her parents is fake?! Shame on you...this is a young child telling you you need to have a heart. And no, I'm not 18 or older. I'm way younger. You should feel ashamed.

Ami, Ami, Ami....are you serious when you wrote: "...I saw this story on CNN last week. I'm pretty sure they would have checked to make sure it was legit before putting it on the air."

News organizations haven't checked the facts on a story before publishing it FOR DECADES!!

Very cute that you think they do, though! You must be under 25...

Skeptics...always trying to ruin people's good faith because of their lack of it. Disgraceful.

Hundreds of notes, probably exaggerated. A few notes here and there and the rest probably tucked away in the girls room is most likely.

For the religious freaks saying GOD IS GONNA STRIKE PEOPLE DOWN FOR BEING REALISTIC.,,, Which god? There are so many different religions and so many different beliefs to think that any one god is going to pay any one person attention even if that god existed is as inane as some of you people have gotten in your comments to this story.

I AM AMAZED AT THE LEVEL OF NEGATIVITY POSTED ABOUT THIS STORY. WHEN ALL IT TAKES IS 30 SECONDS TO CONFIRM IF ITS TRUE. THE STORY WAS ON NBC MORNING NEWS. HERE IS THE LINK.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/elena-desserichs-love-not_n_3 36938.html

HOPE BLESS YOU HOPELESS, DEPRESSED, CYNICAL SOULS.

You all are a bunch of a holes. Regardless if the number of days they gave her to live is completely off and maybe her parents did find the notes while she was still living, that's not the point. I'm pretty sure if your kid had cancer A. you wouldn't be cleaning your house non-stop you'd be spending as much time with them as possible B if you found the notes before she passed you'd probably put them where you found them knowing she's going to be gone soon and something to remember her by and C it's not like they used the money from the notes to go on vacation or buy a house they did it to fund a non-profit organization. You guys really need to take out the stick and just let the family grieve in their own way and hope that this never happens to you... I'm just saying

to all you sad, pathetic, cynical beings.. I hope that one day you'll have the same experience as these poor people. Then MAYBE you'll learn the meaning of compassion and will finally 'grow' a heart.

I was not going to comment, but then I saw some idiot write that mom would check the back pack after school. Did you people leave your brain in the toilet. A dying six year old won't be going to school. As for the specifics, the Doctors were probably generic, 3 to 6 months, and the author probably rounded. All of that aside, It doesn't matter what the case is, these people lost a child. If you don't believe the story save it for your screwed up world. Show some semblance of decency. Morons!

First of all, most parents of children that are diagnosed with cancer do research to find out everything they can about their child's diagnosis, progonosis, possible treatments, and anything else they can find out. And as for the 6 year old knowing or not knowing what was going on... I truely beleive that children understand more than we give them credit for. I have 2 kids of my own and I have learned over the years just who true that is. And as for the parents of this little angel... I hope that this book brings in lots of money for the charity they chose. And about the cleaning thing... If I had a child that was given a short amount of time to live, I know that I would be putting the little cleaning projects on the back burning and only doing what was needed to get thru the week like laundry and dishes... I would rather spend the time with my child then worrying about dusting the shelves.

the certainty on both sides of the "fake, embelished or real" debate is telling about people.
those people who are certain of the truth of this story are just as off-base as those who are equally certain it is a hoax.
unless you are one of the parents, you don't know one way or the other - relax.
what does seem certain is that a young girl tragically died of brain cancer and her parents are trying to raise money to support research to fight pediatric cancer. i don't think any reasonable person can have a problem with that.

I can't beleive how insensitive people can be... That is a heart-breaking story.

I am blessed to have a healthy artistic 6 year old who hides notes and trinkets all over the house. I found one of her notes a few weeks ago, it had been put there along time ago, I know because of the mispelt words. Kids know the joy of getting a gift but have to be creative in experiencing the joy of giving. They know how thrilling a surprise is and I have found some surprising things in surprising places, like the far back and bottom of the freezer, still don't know how she got the beaded necklace she made at camp back there.

If you don't find the story plausible, then you are missing the joy and spirit that is 6 years old. It is my favorite time in both of my children's lives.

My only suggestion is for people to please use spellcheck before posting. Thanks.

I personally beleive that all of you skeptics are silly! This article probobly wasn't made by her parents, it could have been made by one of the random people on the site, so maybe 135 days was a rounded estimate. And about the lettars, if your daughter was dying, I doubt that you would spend all the time cleaning, you would be helping your child live life to the fullest. She probobly left them near the day that she left us anyways. Anyways, they are not using there child for "profit" as many of you are saying, this all goes into a charity. I am not going to go and do somthing rash and tell the skeptics to shut up, instead I tell them to try and listend and think.

Ok. Most of us have the correct idea that this wasn't a hoax. So don't pass judgement on those people for their opinion.

Anyway, this is sad. At least the girl gave lots of reminders of her!

Seriously. i can't believe some of you are doubting this story. the little girl died from something terrible and you have the nerve to say that her parents didnt clean. The whole point of the story was to share what the family has done since their daughter died. Its to let the readers know what they are doing so people can spread the news and help out to. But i guess since some of you can't even have a heart for the family or more so anyone that is going through this now you should buy the book and see for yourself that its true. oh and then maybe ud understand the slightest bit that this was all because their daughter who was 6 or 7 had a dream to help out.

Oh my god..... I cried when I saw this...If this is fake then shame on the people who wrote this but if not then GOD BLESS that little girl...... shes so cute and didn't got a chance to live life..... I'm a boy and even I feel really sad for this little girl.... GOD BLESS HER!

TO THE PARENTS of this adoraible precious little girl.... PLEASE forgive these people who have negitive things to say about your daughter.... You guys are wonderful for sharring these notes that she left for you... what a gift to the word!! Thank you for sharring them with us... I will purchase a copy for you NON PRIFIT org. What a GREAT IDEA to spread some LOVE in rememberence of you little Elena Desserich
God BLESS her and you!!!!

I looked this up on snopes.com, and snopes does not receognize the story, so I was unable to find out if it is true or false.. But here is the bottom line.. No matter if this story is true or not, you can still use it to the goodness of the ontent.. We know that something like this "can" happen, and there are many children that do have cancer and dying daily.. very precious loving children.. Love the children you are associated with.. Pray for all the children in the hospitals and their families, and thank God for the love He brings into our hearts.. and give support to St. Jude and other children programs in hope that they will find cures to help these children.. Love them and pray for them.. Love each other.. Don't let small details of whether something is true or not bring up a bickering session.. And if someone wants to bicker, let them, and love them and pray for them.. and sometimes it is easier said than done, but all things are possible through Christ and God can and will strengthen His children if we lean on Him. I hope the very best for each and every one here.

Billy

I hope this family in the story does not read the nasty comments left by some on this site.If all the money is going to cancer research why are the negative comments being thrown their way.My grandchildren have left notes for us when they come and we do not find them for weeks.I move a book and one falls out.I hope this family heals through the works the money of this book will provide.

Here's the problem no one is addressing: the article is poorly written.
If the article had been well written, with such basic information as: who, where, when, etc. then I don't think people would have rushed to judgment.
The parents aren't named. No location (I thought this was from Britian based on the last name; they're from Arizona.) The exact days left. And no dates except 2007.
And hundreds? Again, poorly written article.
This is why everyday people don't do reporting. They're neither trained nor qualified, and look at the tempest in the teapot this non-reporter caused.
Ouch!

I believe the precious little angel left those notes for her family. My grandmother's younger brother died at age 7 and before he passed on, he said goodbye to each and every brother and sister.
The parents are extremely lucky to have had such a sweet, sensitive angel for only a short time.

oops, parents are named. Still a poorly written piece.

A sad story to be sure but the part about the doctors giving her 135 days to live is a real stretch in my opinion. You usually hear 4 to 6 months or something like that....never heard of a doctor giving a patient a certain number of days to live. Who was the doctor that made this unusual prediction? The parents are now selling a book to benefit a non-profit organization and I wonder who the administrator of this "non-profit" organization is and how much they are getting paid. I wonder what the whole truth really is???

Speaking as someone who has brain cancer, and I'm only 22 years old, I don't think it is fake. There are many places I could hide stuff that my parents wouldn't find for a while. Closets, cds, cabinets... My heart goes out to the family. I just hope I don't join her soon.

THIS IS A VERY TOUCHING STORY ABOUT A FAMILY THAT WAS DEVASTATED BY SUCH A TRAGIC LOSS!!! HOW DARE SOMEONE JUDGE THEM! TRY TO WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES! HOW WOULD YOU COPE WITH YOUR CHILD'S DEATH? THE BOOK IS A FUNDRAISER FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER!!! THE FAMILY WILL NOT PROFIT FROM THIS PUBLICATION! HOW BRAVE OF THEM TO SHARE THEIR STORY WITH THE WORLD!

People....are we so jaded a society that we can't give a little credit to a terminally sick six year old or her grieving parents. When my father was diagnosed with liver cancer everyday routines fell through the cracks. Although from the outside looking in we were functioning quite well. The day my father passed away (a mere 6 weeks from the date of diagnosis), as the medical examiner's car was pulling out of our driveway, a reposesor was pulling in to repo my father's car. Over the course of his illness no one in our family made it a point to look over his bills.

I think this is a beautiful story. If my child would die, I would die to know she left me lil notes reminding me what a precious baby she was to me. To all you ppl with doubts about this story should keep them to yourselves. I would seriously hate to be the parents of this poor lil girl, seeing those dreadful comments yall left on here. thats real sorry of you.

When did we, as a people, become so heartless? Just because some people are looking for their 15 minutes, you think that everyone else is, too? This is ridiculous! These people lost their child, for christ sake! Grow up. Show a little compassion. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of this beautiful little girl. No more hateful comments. If you don't like it, then keep it to yourself. Not all of us are ugly inside, like you.

This is the fakest thing I have seen, what are we going to hear next, aliens leaving notes behind? Please quit this kind of nonsence!

I read alot of comments saying that the story must be fake, and that the parents would find some of the notes eventually. But, you may be overlooking the fact that parents of a child whith only 135 days left to live, have very busy lives, and probably do not have the time to do much cleaning. Also, if the kid loves to draw, the parents are probably used to finding pictures left around the house. Just saying

This is a touching story, to those who think it is faux, shame on you all. What if, just if it is real? You are disrespecting this little girl, and the fact that she knew she was dying and that she attempted to do something to make her parents grief a little less painful. This little girl, and so many other children out there go through things, horrible things that would make most of people sh*t their pants, especially people that can say some of the horrible things I have seen writen here. Children are smart and older than their years, especially kids that have had to go through terminal illnesses like this, they grow up fast. Please people think of someone besides yourselves, if this is faux shame on them, but if it might be true, give those people respect.

I dont't if this is ture or not. but i can bilve it because iv had something very simler happen to me. when i was 17 years old i fond out i had a brain tumer. i fond out about it at the end of april,then i got it removed on july 5 2006. my mom didn't clean the house from when we fond out till a month or so after i got it removed. she was to wored about the doc's i had 5 diffent doc's. i spent half my summer at there office. an trust me u will get stuke a few hundered times by the doc's if u get one.

Wow. At what point did we become automatically cynical about everything? If there is even a chance this story is true, and I see no reason to believe it's not, you're trashing a couple who lost their little girl, and that's shameful. And don't talk to me about "balloon boy." Because that story was faked doesn't mean this one was.

I do not understand what the negativity is about. Its not impossible for a young child to hide notes. I have two of them. When one of my daughters was hospitalized for a week, me and my wife was by her side. We took turns to take care of my other daughter, deep cleaning the house was not a priority. How many times have you found a letter laying around that you wrote or some one else wrote that some how got tucked away and forgotten. Besides the proceeds to the book also goes to a charity. The girl was filled with love for her parents, and she wanted to express her love. What is wrong with that. DO you really think her parents are going to make up a bunch of fake love letters after she is gone, write a book, send the proceeds to a charity, to fight cancer. What would be the purpose for them to do so. I believe this story is true myself I will look into getting the book, if you do not then so be it. Do not be haters of the love this beautiful little girl had for her parents. Do not disrespect her parents choosing to express their love, to there daughter in a memory of her final thought she had. Then in memory of there lost daughter, the proceeds from the book, goes to look for a treatment cure, to the illness that killed her. Show love and not hate.

You know, I had kidney cancer and was told that if after removal, everything indicated no spread I would "probably" (no guarantees) be okay (by an honest doctor). I was lucky.....however, you never know about your future. My father died of brain cancer two years ago. Once it was discovered, we (including my father)were told he probably had two-three months to live. He died one and a half months later. The nurse may work in oncology, but not all doctors are unable to give approximate life expectancy information when available. And why wouldn't a six year old know she was very sick? Why would one lie and tell her she was going to get better when each day the cancer progresses and affects her in physical wellbeing? Children are not stupid. Sometimes they know more than adults and are emotionally able to process the information. I was touched and feel great sorrow for the child and her family. Such a loss is impossible to bear.

wow. all of you people who are leaving comments say that this is bullshit are fucking ridiculous. if you dont care enough about this little girl and her family to be kind, then dont waste your time writing crude comments. get a life.

as for me, i think this story is absolutely beautiful. i know her family must be blessed by the precious notes their daughter. i know she is watching over them.

THESE NEGATIVE PEOPLE COULD USE A LITTLE LESS EVIL AND A LOT MORE GOD!!!!! WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE MAKING THESE PARENTS FEEL LIKE? OH WAIT YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T GIVE A RATS BUTT....

I can't believe some of you people can be so heartless. I used to leave notes hidden around the house for my parents when I'd go to summer camp. I'd come home after two or three months and they still hadn't found all of them, and my mother cleans religiously every single day... WOW. where is your humanity?

I have a Sister that has brain cancer, she is fighting with it for 4 yrs.I have a Daughter thats 12,I give thanks daily she is healthy.I do not know how you cope with it???But I do believe you will be with her.Best wishes to your family

Shame on you people for harping on the timeline of this little girls story i just buried my child on the 26th of Oct 09 and still dont know a C.O.D. he was only 18 months old and for this family to have the faith and stregth to do this book i say good for them and i bash you nay sayers

I can't believe how outrageous you people are! Why would you bother commenting if all you're going to do is be a rude idiot? This is about an innocent little girl and her family, NOT your obscene opinions. Stop and think for once in your life, what if this was you? You know that old statement "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? PRACTICE IT!!! This little girl went through something even adults would be fearful to face, how dare we criticize her or her family!

I can't believe that some would say that it was bogus, that the parents hadn't cleaned the house. Obviously you have never lost a child or infant granddaughter like I have. It is extremely difficult...life does not go back to normal for a VERY long time. So it is understandable that they did not clean.

I hope you skeptics never have to go through the tragedy of losing a child.

Oh my gosh. I am disgusted.
Why would two parents who suffered one of the worst things in the world, outliving your child, an innocent child, be making this up?
Like they have nothing better to do then make up lies about their beloved daughter?
You guys are sick. Nobody understands what these parents are going through, and when they muster up to share a joyful influence their one of two unique daughters left for them, you guys think it's a fake???
Think a little, and be compassionate before disgusting.
-Ilana

I am sure that anyone trained in interrogation can tell you that the more specify the detail the more likely they are lying.
Hence, lots of people on this tread have spotted a possible hoax.
But let's keep in mind the x factor. The publishers.

Publishers often do rewrites on real or fictional events to "Grab" the reader. Hence the 135 days! Now if it had said 135 day 12 hours and 15 minutes, I would have a problem. LOL

The thing is I hope all of you who are spiting vile in order to make yourself look smart, well, I hope you feel smart.

For those of you spiting vile at the vile spatters'! Stop! You are better than that! Just go buy the book!

My niece has days left and no one is given her even a 30-60 whatever. But there is research on the net that says the chance of her surviving 2 years is 0%.
That being said she is leaving us right at the 3 year mark! She has always been a stubborn kid!

OK everyone back to your neutral corners. Go buy the book.

PS
Thanks for your service! (The marine that said "What the he**"

Stephen King

I can not believe the audacity of fellow human beings........I saw the younger chid speak about the loss of her big sister. Her tears were not fake.....the child's death was not fake....have any of you cynical SOBs experienced the loss of a loved one....MS oncology nurse, has your job hardened you that much that your immune to the horrible outcomes of cancer? This family is trying to turn the loss of their precious child into something positive and helpful for others who suffer from this horrible disease. I think a lot of humans need to take a step back and do a reality check. Does it really matter how the child who never was told about her time line really matter? Every person communicates differently. My 2 aunts, my grandmother and MY MOTHER were all given a time line and guess what BOTTOM LINE no matter how it was communicated: there all gone. Get a life people.

I realize that during and after their daughters death they were not thinking that the furniture needed to be dusted. I think that it is wonderful that when they started to catch their breath their daughter left them with love. I know from experience how hard it is to lose a loved one and know that if it has not happened to you, you do not understand the pain. I want to provide a blessing of love, kindness, and to share in the gift that God our father has given us. I did read 90 minutes in heaven and it is a great book to read when the parents our ready.
Love
Jennifer

I cant believe half the stuff u people are sayin who would make up a story about there dead child. you people are ignorant and have no heart u never kno what goes on so how dare u say its not true. u people really need to pray and ask for forgiveness of being STUPID

Some of these comments are extremely rude and i was expecting different responses..... I will tell you doctors sometimes do tell when the end is near and cleaning probably wasn't there top priority

To restore your hope in humanity, PLEASE take a look at this
http://www.colesfoundation.com/

I know this family and support their cause. They aren't looking to "make a buck" from their pain...they are using their painful experience to help other families that are going through similar experiences.

My son died of cancer about four months ago. He had acute leukemia. During the time I was caring for him in the hospital, and when I brought him home before he died, I did not clean up my house at all except the area which my son used. I hired a cleaner to do the kitchen and bathroom. My own bedroom was a pigsty. I was busy taking care of my son.

What my son left were hundreds of pictures of him. I myself am camera-shy. He took those pictures with a camera my sister gave him. I am so happy he loved the camera. I made a scrapbook of the pictures. That's what son left for me.

What an amazing thing. For all those people being negative- they said they found the notes inside odd places like CD cases and such. I'm sure that right after your daughter DIED you would say, "Alright, now that she's gone, let's start cleaning." Only an insincere idiot would think someone who just lost a daughter would say that. I'm sure they found one or two, but then once they realized how many there were, they probably starting searching and searching and finding them.

For all those people who posted something negative, I feel bad for you. Obviously God is missing from your hearts.

Gee---I guess some of you have never lived with a loved one who was dying. You definately do not think of cleaning the rest of the house-EVER. You are constantly making runs to the hospital, doctors trips, running hundreds of errands for special needs (just those visits take MOST of your time), constantly cleaning the room where the loved one is--laundry, EVERYTHING in your loved ones room has to be perfect. Cooking just the right kind of meals. Scented candles. Washing the windows so they can see the birds better. Buying and renting movies to cheer them up (and you). Scheduling home health care professionals. Occasionally some of them do not show up on time and you are on the phone. FOR HOURS. Scheduling the priest to come by regularly. Making emergency trips to the hospital in the wee hours of the night. You go in your own bedroom that is dirty and cry there so your loved one won't see you cry. Carrying out tons of garbage that you couldn't even dream that could be generated in a regular household. You are emotionally drained 100% of the time. And Chemo. Awful. Your oned is SO sick. All your time goes to your loved one--until the very end. THIS STORY IS REAL.

What a bunch of heartless and pathetic losers that left those comments about a little girl... I was moved so much when I read this story. Whether it's real or not, what a wonderful way to spread love and light. I wish I could find each and every one of those people that talked crap in these comments. You should be nailed to a tree and have your skin stripped off piece by piece until you sink into your own self-ish hell. I have a daughter and this piece hit me right in my heart.

I CANNOT BELIEVE people actually posted negative comments - UNREAL. If my daughter was sick in the hospital I would be there 24/7. Screw the house chores, and pretty much anything else for that matter. I guarantee those who posted the really negative comments have no children. I wish the very best for the family of the little girl, and for all us parents who deal with the joy, heartache and stress of raising a little kid. It's an adventure!

Maybe its fake, maybe its authentic.....I don't care if it raises a single peeny for cancer treatment I am OK with that. My sincere sympathy goes out to the family and apology on behalf of the heartless skeptics. Being a dad of a six year old I know how hard it is when your child even has a low grade temp..

My God people, think about it, who the hell cares about cleaning the house when your child is dying. I am sure theses parents were so emotionally spent each night that cleaning was the last thing on their minds. Have a little heart, start giving a damb about people other than yourselves, and take a touching story for what it is, a heartwarming story about someone else pain!

Next these sick minds will say she didn't die.

this story is one of a kind. It's beautiful!

From actual book:

" The prognosis isn’t good. Originally, we were told that we would have three to six months. It’s little reassurance that now the doctors say possibly seven months to over a year."

So not 135 days, and this is a real prognosis given to certain types of cancer patients. And for the child to hide things and not be found while she was alive is totally plausible. I guess the skeptics would like to believe since the child had cancer that she was also a moron and would hide things in obvious places? She was clearly a bright, clever, child and hid things where most bright, clever children would hide things....where no one would look. I'm not sure how all these hoax people jumped on this boat so readily, but what a shame and sad world that a real, sincere, sweet story can be ripped apart by a bunch of cynics.

And anyway, (to all those who are being negative) why would they lie if they are DONATING the money?

If my kid was going to die from brain cancer she would know she was sick but not that she was going to die. Sorry but I find this story very hard to believe.

This is sad, real or not I have a cousin that is dying from brain tumors. People do tell children they will dye, my small cousin has over 15 tumors+ in her body and I believe 4 small ones in her head, no exaguration on my part. No one believes shes alive, but shes happy she is. Children understand things better than we do and seem to be a hell of a lot more mature in handeling things like death. Have respect, because in the end somewhere out there somes suffering weather this is real or fake it resembles a child somewhere.

Does it really matter if they are fake you guys are missing the most important part. A 6yr old little girl still died, her parents still lost their

daughter. If by chance they can help them in their healing process then let it be. What would you do to heal? if you lost your little girl. I don't

know if you guys have ever seen someone die from cancer but it is not pretty. It is a horrible sight and very, very painful for both parents and

victim. So, I think it is plausible that they did not clean for the 255 days because, their only concern would to be with that little girl for

every second they had left. Cleaning the house would have been the last thing on their minds I am sure.

I know we live in a cynical world but it took me all of about 15 seconds to Google this and find the following video. It's clearly not a hoax and I think before people start making that assumption about this, they should take a few seconds and check it out. I can't imagine the grief for her parents losing a child to brain cancer, much less if they somehow ran across these comments. 135 days? Who knows if they said that or the person who wrote the article said it....have we really become THAT jaded? Here is the link, complete with video footage of her and her parents.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

I'm absolutely amazed at the poor display of basic humanity in the horrible comments some have made. It's disgusting. I certainly hope not a single one of you considers yourself a good Christian. If you do, here's some news...you AREN'T! You're actually rather pathetic. I had a little girl who died when she was 14. She used to do this very same thing. She'd hide little notes and little trinkets around the house. The house is spotless and always clean, but it was years before everything was discovered. Notes hidden in the booklet of a CD. Notes taped to the bottom of the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Scrapbook items with notes hidden in the most odd and unusual places. I lived it. So for those that say this fake - I say grow up! Get a life. If you're that negative, maybe it's time to look inside and ask yourself how you got to be this pathetic in your rotten life!

It's incredible just how cynical some of you people are. Have a heart.

This is so sad and beautiful. I have found notes my kids wrote to me when they were children in books, and under my desk blotter.
Places you wouldn't look or clean.
What a beautiful, smart little girl.

When I read this post I thought it was the sweetest thing, and was expecting people to be posting positive comments. Shame on all you negative nellys out there! I hope the sale of these books raises lots of money to help more children have a better outcome than Elena did. Even if this is a hoax, the parents are publishing these notes in a book to raise money for a good cause. And if my daughter were dying I think I would be more concerned about spending time with her than cleaning every nook and cranny in my house!

It is a story for a cause, which makes it kinda like a parable.

Oh and "guy," religion isnt a business for those who believe in it. Personally I feel sorry for you, I cant imagine going through this life without the boundless, unconditional love and light that true religion provides. You are probably a very lonely soul.

I guess I can see why SOME have doubt, ONLY due to the fact that in all my years, around nursing, I have heard doctors say to families, that their loved may have as few as "x" numbers of WEEKS to live but possibly more. I have NEVER heard a doctor say, your loved one has "x" amount of DAYS to live. That seems a little odd. However, the notes that were found and put into a book, is not for their porfit, it says the monies are to be given to be given to help fight cancer. So.....in my opinion, as long as the money is not going in their pockets, but to help find the cure that MAY just save the life of another child, WHO CARES!.

I like how some people never use their brains!
Just because it says she "lived 255 days" and "Left notes hidden [That parents are now finding]" Does not mean that through her 255 days left did she hide her notes, but used them to write and make the notes, hmmm? Perhaps she hid them towards her last days? Aside that, there are plenty of places to hide stuff that's not touched so often and always cleaned. (Hello? Who wants to dust clean every CD after your 6 year old daughter has just passed on?)

AFTER I READ THIS STORY IT JUST BROUGHT ME TO TEARS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY. I just cant believe everyone who posted horrible comments, I was so surprised to see how many people in this world truly suck. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!! Elena rest in peace.

I don't know whether it's true or not. I don't understand why people would make up a story about their child dying or about notes being left behind. I feel bad for those parents not for having to read comments that narrow minded people have written. I feel bad that they had to go through such a horrible experience.

Wow....Some of you are truly amazing. Whether they made it up or not....it isn't really anyones business. if you don't want to support the cause then don't buy the book....it really is as simple as that....and as far as nurses and other professionals saying it is impossible to give specific time lines for death...you have no idea what the doctors told the family. I work in a critical care unit and believe me there is a lot of things that you would not believe coming out of the doctors mouths....the bottom line is that they made the book to support the cause....if you dont want to support the cause...then dont...get a life!

Yeah - what they said - stop being so cynical and obtuse. Its obvious you know what the message of the story was about.

I think its terrible that people think like this! You all should be ashamed of yourselves! You more than likely have never been through anything like this! I can say from experience that cleaning is the last thing on your mind! You spend all your time and money to be this that loved one! If you have other children its even harder! For me it was my Mom I was 7 it was terrible! She had cancer and yes she knew when it was her time. They just know. We flew her plus all her meds home because she wanted to die at home. If you've never been through this type of experience then you should keep your mouth shut! It only makes you sound like an idiot, rude and unloving! God forbid you or anyone have to go through what this family or any family thats lost a loved one to some terrible disease! Sham on you for you petty remarks! Have you no heart or compasion? Real or not!

To those who believes that this is a fake, you may all go die. This isn't even a story, it's called reality people.

May god bless the child's family. T_T this made me cry. So sweet and creepy at the same time.

Through unfortunate, first hand experience, every moment that you have with an ill child is spent with that ill child. Following my son's death, it was over a year before I had any ambition to thoroughly clean house. I would not have found all of those notes for a long time. What I KNOW is that those notes probably not only brought a lot of pain to her parents but comfort as well. For those of you who have never lost a child, reserve your judgement. Your comments are bitter, angry and ignorant. I hope that those notes helped to soften the sharp edges of her parents heart.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1

To anyone who thinks this is fake...

Watch... You sorry SOBs...

She's an Angel and any negativity coming from peoples comments are down right dirty and should be ashamed. Cleaning the house when your Angel is dying would definetly not be on my priority list especially since it would make no difference. If i knew she only had that much time we'd only be in the house to sleep. Every other second i'd have my Angel out enjoying her last days, hours, minutes, seconds. Clean the house! Get the nasty out and let your selves be washed with a beauitiful story of innocense giving her love to her family while facing mortality. How brave is a child to think of love before all else? She is an Angel and i'd be willing to stand face to face with any negative pile who would say different. Why don't you go read the stories your about and leave the beauitiful ones for us.

I'm sure the parents found the notes one at a time. If the girl really did put them between cds or maby even books on a shelf it wouldnt be so hard for them to go un-noticed fr even a cuple years. tell me how often do you go through all your cd cases or your books. or to the bottom of your sock drawer? Not often i'm sure.and when you add in the fact that the parents are probably spending most of thier time grieving that means less time sorting thrugh inconsequecial areas the girl may have hid the notes in.

SMH.....

This little girl was dying, she left love notes for her family to read...believe or don't believe but keep the negitivity to yourselves. I have 3 small children and if this, God forbid, was to ever happend to any one of my children, I'd be devastated. My heart goes out to this little girl's family, whenever they find the time to read this, I hope they understand that there are mean cruel ppl in this world that would make something as an positive ending such a terrible event. May this little girl RIP, and may God grant her family comfort even after reading these comments.

It's a sad and touching story... maybe the writer of this article twisted the story around and maybe the doctors give them a time frame when she'll pass. Just know that she dies of cancer and she left notes to her parents. It's the writer or writers you guys should be pissed at but then again it wouldn't be an interesting story to read about.

I felt sick reading some of the negative comments on this forum. A child is dead, she only got 6 years of life and left something behind for her family, why is it someone so beautiful can be gone and the negative people are still here?
To her family, i wish the best, the book is non-profit with the proceeds going to find a cure. In the end that 6 year old child did more then any of those negative people will ever do in their lives.
God bless you little angel....rest easy and know you were loved.

The negativity is AMAZING......I can see that quite a few people need to stop watching TV all the time and do something else that's positive! What is unbelievable is the cynical nature of the majority of human beings....how have we come to this place? REALLY sad.....as a race we've sunk very low....not much better than animals.

Such skeptics! A little girl died. Period. End of story. I've worked with kids for 5 years, I've received dozens of little notes from students of all elementary grades displaying their warm and caring little hearts. They appreciate positive influences in their lives by drawing pictures and writing little letters to those people. That's what kids do!

To the skeptics: I've followed this story for quite sometime, and I can say that all you need to do is check out CNN and see that this is true. That being said, my wife went through cancer and when you are so wrapped up in the chemo and radiation plus taking care of your loved one, you're rarely home and when you are, all that you want to do is take care of your loved one and sleep. Cleaning takes a big back seat to cancer, so on these "bogus" story remarks, I pray that you never have to go through what this little girl and her parents had to go through. You'll want to spend as much time as you can when you "know" that you will lose them soon.

Best Regards, Tim S.

So true amused ... a parent shouldn't bury their child and less the ones that posted so negitive... has gone through a hard loss as such it makes them empty to the compassion ... and understanding ... but because so .. they shouldn't post if they have no idea. It's hard enough to handle the loss than to handle ones cruelty along with it ... It takes time to decide to let go of something so special and to put it together at that ... I know ... been working on something my daughter was very determined for me to complete and I'm having a horrible time with it ... yet determined to finally do it ... but with them it's different ... it's her direct love given to them to have for after she was gone ... that is even more special and giving that alone would not be a decision from one day to the next to give up for a book for all to see ... and what better way to make the decision than to give it up to give a chance to others that suffer from what she died from ... how could that be wrong ... as I said before it's very sad to see how anyone can question any of it ... even the post of G Hollingsworth ... that wasn't like ugly or real bad ... but still the Corporation ... hello..??? Good grief a book of a childs notes of love to her family ... and worried of the corporation ... hummm .... oh well ... just have to say ... this was one very touching story and I'm glad that they had the creative daughter they did to have left them such a beaurtiful gift that they have left to share to help others in the future... God Bless them..

This story is so heart breaking. I can't even imagine that anyone would leave a derogatory statement. You must never have been touched by the love of a child. God bless you Elena.

There is so much negativity in the world today. I like this story so I choose to believe. Who is it hurting, really? They claim that they are selling the book to start a non-profit organization. It's not like no one else has ever lied to line their pockets. Look at the banking industry, the government, the advertisers on TV. At least these people claim to be doing it for a good cause. My only complaint would be that they should have made it sound just a bit more believable.

how do u think they didnt clean da house dat long?? thats how long she had to live. im pretty sure they wasnt in the mood to be searching through books after her pass..

I cried when i read this story, it reminded me of my 3 yrs. old daughter who passed away a couple years ago, and i felt so sorry about those people who say negative comments about this story, whoever you are, you are such a bitter and cruel person. I was a parent who lost a child and i know how it feels when you see things that belongs to your deceased child, it is so devastating to lose a child and equally devastating to have negative people in this world that only knows how to criticize and judge people who have already suffered too much and they're adding up more hurts to injury.

My little brother died three years ago of heart issues. And as strange as this sounds I think he knew it was his time. He died one week after he turned twenty one, and during that week he got in contant with everyone he knew. Even people that he hadn't seen in years. He made a point to tell them all how much he enjoyed them and was happy to have them in his life.
So I don't really find this story had to believe.

A note to the people who comment on how they didn't clean: When you lose someone close the last thing you think about is cleaning. She hide this little note in CD's and in other places that her family wouldn't look at ever day.
My thoughts and prays go out to this family and all families that have lost someone so special and those families that are dealing with illness of a young one.

I think it is so unfair to judge a story you don't know that facts of. I think there is no reason for these parents to try to hoax people. So therefore I don't see any resaon for it to be a hoax, and being a parent, if it was my baby girl I would not even want to live anymore so don't judge and say mean things when you have no idea what grief these parents are going through.

There is no way of knowing if this story is fake or not, if you weren't physically there. People do make up stories for attention and personal gain. But I would like to believe that there are some people out there that do still possess enough dignity to respect the innocence of a child, even in death. We all have to die one day and I am so sure that no matter how big and bad you think you are, you won't want someone talking bad about you or using your likeness without permission. After saying all that, we are free to express our opinions. Can I challenge you all to really think things through before you do. Thank you.

I have to agree with #4, if my child is dying of cancer the housework would be the last thing on my list. Another thing too, she may have hid a bunch in her room for them to find. If I lost a child It would be a long time before I cleaned up their room. But then again, if she hid them between cd's and such she knew her parents wouldn't just 'happen' up on them. When I dust, my cd's are enclosed in the entertainment center and I don't have to do anything with them. Give these parents a break, and it was a really smart and caring little girl that thought to leave such memories behind for her mom and dad.

all the negativity is a true reflection of our society...how sad..and this little girl has to die..and you fools live...it just ain't right

thats beauthiful my little sis died in march 2009 and she was only 2 so she couldnt leave love notes so its very beautiful and heartwarming to know that this 6 year old would do something as special as that

Sorry to say, but this is fake. I dont mean to be negative, i never am, but they would never have gotten an exact time. also for those who say "how do you know she didnt hide them a few days before she passed away?" How do you know she did? YOu nor i, have any proof. I want this to be fake for the sake of the kid. I want this to be real for the sake of those who believe it is real.

Shame on you, one day something bad will happen to you people, and you will be crying, and asking god, and he will not help you

I'm a grief and crisis counselor who lost a child to cystic fibrosis. Losing a child is the worst thing that could happen to anyone. I also work for a foundation where several of my clients (whom are children) have a non-operable form of brain cancer. Based upon the type of illness and common median of time from diagnosis to death, doctors will give a timeline based upon what is the norm just so there can be some emotional preparation (ie: the 5 steps of grief). That's not to say the patient won't surprise people and live longer or shorter. Children are very intuitive, especially when it comes to what's going on with their bodies. My son knew he was dying. I lived at the hospital and neglected housework. These parents very well could have found the notes after Elena's death. My 6 year old son is always leaving stuff for me in the weirdest places. So, there is really no reason to doubt this story and if it brings awareness to a deadly illness, all the more power to them!

To all of you idiots that said this was "fake", "bogus", etc. Do your research before you "open" your stupid mouths. This story is legit and was featured on the ABC nightly news. So do us compassionate people a favor and keep your nasty remarks to yourselves. And to the "nurse" who was a non believer I suggest she go into a different profession because apparently she doesn't have the heart or the brain obviously, to be a nurse. And to the family of this little Angel, God Bless you and thank you for sharing your story.

some people need to stop being so cynical. This is such an innocent act, and it truly touches my heart.

Just remember, this could have happened to anyone one of us: young or old, so please value your life, and have something nice to say.

oh that is so sad and for everyone who is calling this fake you guys are just not right this was a little girl who passed away and it isn't something to call fake or laugh about. and you guys think that the girls parents will clean the house knowing that their daughter only has a few days left so they would spend time with her not clean and find notes.

For those that made comments about the house keeping must not have had a family member dying. I have been through it and house cleaning and things around the house is the last on the list. Thank God for friends and family that came and took care of that for us. If they had family and friends that helped in that way thay just left the notes so that they could find them. Don't judge people because God will judge you the way you judge others.

Man you pple can be mean. the little girl is dead and you want to leave mean comments. This poor little girl! I couldnt believe if i were diagnosed with that and this poor six year old baby!!! I feel bad for the parents

Ok, even if it was a made up story (notes) look beyond this, all the money is going to an organozation to help children with CANCER!! isn't it good? you people are always trying to look for the negative side of things. I am proud of them and unless we are not going trhough a situation like this we cannot give an oppinion about cleaning and shores arround the house.. Give me a break!!!!!

how can people be sooo cruel to leave horrid comments like this...this story made me cry ill pray for u people ...may her sould rest in peace

Some people are just to self absorbed to take the time to think about something other than themselves.

As many have mentioned, doctors do give timelines. The people that have left negative comments just show their ignorance. That's all.

I ask for peace as this family faces the days ahead. I've lost a family member to cancer but couldn't begin to fathom the loss of a child.

It never said the parents didn't know she was hiding them. If my child is dying and says "don't peek" then I'm going to respect that. Maybe they didn't realize the amount of notes she would leave. I choose to believe. Kids are that strong you know!

yeah its pretty sick that ppl obviously think the worst, I know for damn sure i would be in mourning for a long ass time if one of my daughters died. I agreee why would you put a pic of the girl up. Its just like that movie PS I LOVE YOU. so please ppl just stop being cynical bastards, and be positive for once, this world is becoming so negative.

You guys are seriously rude being a mother i can see kids doing this. just because they didnt find them until she was gone does not mean that they didnt clean it just ment that they were trying to spend as much time with their little girl as they could. i believe that this is real who is cold hearted enough to make something like this up...noone! this is a very sad story! and you people should be thank ful for the things and the people that love you not for the little stupid things!!!

There is so much negativity in the world today. I like this story so I choose to believe. Who is it hurting, really? They claim that they are selling the book to start a non-profit organization. It's not like no one else has ever lied to line their pockets. Look at the banking industry, the government, the advertisers on TV. At least these people claim to be doing it for a good cause. Now if that pat is a lie, that's messed up! My only complaint would be that they should have made it sound just a bit more believable.

This story is so faked. I will tell you what really happened. The daughter with cancer wrote all of those letters before she died, some even before she was diagnosed with cancer. The parents came up with a great idea to make money and write a book, claiming that they were secret after death love letters, very touching I know, but also a perfect scheme to make a buck. GRANTED they did not use the money for themselves, they donated to a cancer research non-profit, but I dont feel as though fabricating a story involving your deceased daughter for any form of financial gain is very honorable. Shame on them, SHame Shame Shame.

If you had kid maybe,you might understand. kids can amaze you in all different ways, no matter what age.
and how many of you clean on a everyday base, when you work and other things get to be to much. i tink it's amazing. what would you do in her shoes? ever think of that............ some of your comments really bite the bone....your not dead are you or maybe just your heart is/////////// can't these peple feel anything???????????/

I am sure that anyone trained in interrogation can tell you that the more specify the detail the more likely they are lying.
Hence, lots of people on this tread have spotted a possible hoax.
But let's keep in mind the x factor. The publishers.

Publishers often do rewrites on real or fictional events to "Grab" the reader. Hence the 135 days! Now if it had said 135 day 12 hours and 15 minutes, I would have a problem. LOL

The thing is I hope all of you who are spiting vile in order to make yourself look smart, well, I hope you feel smart.

For those of you spiting vile at the vile spatters'! Stop! You are better than that! Just go buy the book!

My niece has days left and no one is given her even a 30-60 whatever. But there is research on the net that says the chance of her surviving 2 years is 0%.
That being said she is leaving us right at the 3 year mark! She has always been a stubborn kid!

OK everyone back to your neutral corners. Go buy the book.

PS
Thanks for your service! (The marine that said "What the he**"

Stephen King
PS PS I think I posted this already but I could not find it.

The skeptics on this page need a good dose of Child Development classes. They also need to have a child this age who is bright, smart and very worried about what will happen to her parents when she is gone. A child of five would be able to go around the house and leave little notes, because when my granddaughter was 5 (she is now 7) she would color freehand (children love to do this and not in coloring books), leaving me and my husband all kinds of little pictures and what she interpreted as "notes." My granddaughter is in the highest reading/writing level in her class and reads small books in 1st grade. There are children out there who have very attentive parents who give them these skills. It sounds like this little girl had those very parents. I have interviewed many small children, and they always wonder and worry about their parents. So if a child knows (and it sound like these parents were honest with this child, as was the medical staff) they are very ill and might die, I could very well see this beautiful little girl going through her parents home leaving little notes of comfort. There will always be skeptics in this world, but since I have a degree in Child Development and have observed 2 1/2 year old children carry on full conversations; I believe this story to be true. I am so sorry these wonderful parents had to loose such a beautiful, caring and loving child; one that cared so much about her parents she did the one thing she had control over - leaving them the notes.

one of the hardest things is to loose a child. I know I lost one. Also a few years ago my husband commited suicide. I would love to find notes from either one of them. I know though that's not possible now. However, I DO look forward to seeing them again in the after life. Yes, I know suicide is against God's wishes but I can't believe he would be so heartless and banish anyone from his presense.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family that lost their beautiful little girl.

Maybe,this is a true story or it isn't. should we judge everything that is written? I just lost my only (older) sister to cancer. When I told that she only had a 2 weeks to 2 days to live, is that far fetched from the truth, saying that the Dr's can't pin point when a person leaves this earth. She had been fighting breast, bone and brain cancer for 4 1/2 years. She passed away on July 24th of this year. I talked to her every single week, and the day before she died. If this little girl hid these draws around the house,it was because the parents were paying more attention to their dying daughter. And I personally they are real pictures this little girl drew when she was well, before she got ill. Why don't you people sit and think about when you lost a loved one, and remember how you felt? I bet you hurt a lot, and was not worried about keeping you house cleaned. Think about it??

You know I dont understand some of you all, with all that negative junk thats all it is junk. Why cant you have a heart. And to all the positive people thanks for the positive comments I am sure when her parents read these comments they will be pleased with all the positive peoples comments.As for Michelle, Smile, Nicki, Pau, Thomas and some of your others comments couldnt said it any better myself.I applaud u. I love everyone cause thats what God requires of us and one of these days you all judging people it will come back on you and arent going to like it one bit

This is Tribulations, four billion people will die, most are unprepared to meet God don't be among them them.

They are good at telling stories like this "men of God" who tickle your ears as they pick your pockets using tax laws instead of Guns or calculators as "investment bankers do. They tell silly stories while real children die by starvation was neglect 1,000 to 2,000 per hour

Everything you have heard from the false church prophets has but one purpose. The same purpose of the Jewish concentration camp concert band played as the non useful jews was marched to the "showers" to be gassed and have their hair cut and used for mattresses.

I feel bad for this little girl what kind of parent would put this on the internet that is very sad!That is just my opinoin thow and I would never do this to my kids it made me cry about the girl dying but it mad3e me cry even more that a parent would do this to there duter or any kid thank for leting me talk!

This story really hit home when I looked at her notes, and realized they mirror the ones my 6 year old makes for me.. I have them at home and around my office.
Those who are skeptical probably do not have a child of this special age that expresses themselves with little tokens like a 6 year old does..

This actually is a true story, google her name and msnbc and you'll find the story by a legitimate reporter.....god bless her family!

Bless her heart!.... It is plausible that this is the truth...when a child dies the parents go through a severe depression...Perhaps cleaning was NOT their main priority... or they have a huge house...give them a break during their time of need...

Verified by:

By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 8:21 a.m. MT, Wed., Oct . 28, 2009

I got this info above just now from checking on the web!

This is a true story, posted by the Today show on 10/28/09, so all those naysayers out there, stick your thumb up your butt and pull it out and smell it, cause that smell you smell is what you are full of!!

Not that's a dirty @$$ family if they didn't clean up in almost a year.

To all those who are criticizing the fact that they are selling a book based on the notes, you did read that it was to fund a non-profit organization right? Plus, can't you just enjoy a sentimental story instead of being so rude. I just really hope the parents aren't reading these...

This is a hoax to get us to send funds for research. I cannot imagine any 6 year old that would even feel like doing what was said she did. FAKE, FAKE, FAKE!

As a parent that has lost a child, before you call it a hoax maybe you should look up the information. After the loss of a child you just concentrate on breathing, not cleaning house or organizing. You walk out of your child's room and do not return until you can deal with it. Sometimes that is years. Some people should keep their mouths shout and opinions to themselves. They don't want to be in the parents place. Anything you find from your child after they are gone is a gift. Debbie

No one should say this story is fake just because they gave her a number of days to live is complete BS my father in law was diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live god willing he lasted a year and a half. This family doesn't need all these negative comments written about something that made them happy. I'm happy this family found these notes for her, it'll help with the pain.

As a pediatric hematology-oncology nurse, I can see how this story can be true. Most of my patients and their caregivers are in the hospital weeks, even months at a time. This is plenty of time for a child to do crafts or write notes, especially with the help of Child Life Specialists and their own nurses. And while they are home, they can be busy hiding their notes while the parents are busy catching up with insurance issues and superficial cleaning that they can muster to do...or sleep!

As a mom myself who had a son in the hospital for five straight months, I was only able to manage to dust what I can in the house, find the quickest meal, and did not worry whether my clothes were the right color for the season because I needed to be back at my son's bedside. On top of trying to retain some sense of normalcy for the rest of the family.

True or not, this story has a lesson that may be useful for another family afflicted with another long-term illness. And what is so bad about raising funds for a worthwhile cause? I hope the cynics don't find out the possibilities of this story first-hand.

I just can't believe this story. It seems so "fluffy". I don't like these parents putting those "notes" out either way. If this is real they should keep it to themeselves. Sad, but a PRIVATE issue. I mean come on?

OK one people are really rude now a days and its really fuckiging sad. With her last few days alive she could have hid those. SO why is that not a option its just what they didnt clean there house eww. Cry me a river and build me a bridge to get over it. I know once my dad died I found little things around the house he hid. So its not just BS assholes. We are live so we dont know the feeling of when its OUR time so why does everyone have to be so god damn negative now a days. The book thing is a little eh but you know what, if it makes them happy leave them be and you obviously dont have to read it. Wow look that was solved real fucking quick huh. Let them just be happy with the notes she left them it gave them some piece of mind since she is gone.

Umm, the doctor probably said '4-5 months' which could be averaged out to 4 1/2. By stating it in days it makes it more clear that she lived almost twice as long as expected. Anyone who has ever had an english class would recognize that is a technique of writing. Also, by stating the days instead of condensed into months it may make them feel as if they had her around longer. My kid is healthy (thank goddess), but my husband and I work 4 jobs between us and I go to school, suffice it to say we don't do any regular deep cleaning. As for not finding notes in the dresser..as hectic as things can get (and I imagine were for them) sometimes you just live out of laundry baskets..

I wish the administrators of the site would delete all the stupid, hateful, hurtful comments. These parents will likely read this... I would.

If my child were dying I would spend every moment WITH my child, not cleaning my stupid house. And I would be highly unlikely to pull out CDs to dance in my kitchen while doing that cleaning.

i think its crazy people think this is just a "stunt". i have a 3 year old daughther that loves to hide things and i also clean my house daily, several times a day, and im still finding things she hid days or even weeks ago. Its so sad, why cant people believe a heart warming story when they here it?

This is why scamming is so effective. I'm an oncology nurse in California and KNOW that the family would not have a time frame on a Brain Tumor. Too unpredicable and plus the doctor can be sued. All you who say this is true and calling the "skeptics" profane names are very naive and being just as judgemental to people you don't know.

This is a story that you choose to believe and it will give you good feelings in return. Why not choose to believe that there is good in the world, rather than try to disprove it? It makes you remember that life is precious and short and children are so very special.

there is no lie in that simple message.

peace to all of you

Did you guys who are posting negative comments not read until the end? Here, let me help "Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, have now published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer."

Let me explain that in simple terms so that you can understand...The money made from the book is going to start a NON PROFIT organiztion that to help kids who are diagnosed with brain cancer! They are not getting a bit of the money! You see non-profit orgs started all the time for child abuse victims, murder victims, etc. and this isn't any different. You people posting these comments about them wanting to make money and that the story is fake should be ashamed of yourselves!

Did you guys who are posting negative comments not read until the end? Here, let me help "Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, have now published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer."

Let me explain that in simple terms so that you can understand...The money made from the book is going to start a NON PROFIT organization that to help kids who are diagnosed with brain cancer! They are not getting a bit of the money! You see non-profit orgs started all the time for child abuse victims, murder victims, etc. and this isn't any different. You people posting these comments about them wanting to make money and that the story is fake should be ashamed of yourselves!

Maybe guys they gave her like 3-6 months to live and they just blew that out to days. UH half of 3-6 is 4.5 and 4.5 time 30 days is imagine that 135 days. I have heard many folks say a doc gives them 3-6 months.

I'm disgusted with those of you making claims this is not true. And you that for fact HOW? This world is so full of cynics who enjoy tearing something down they can't understand it's shameful. This is NOT using a death of a child to make money as some here suggest. It is sharing with the world what a wonderful and smart little girl they had for only a brief time. Get over yourselves and leave others to appreciate such love. If this world were less cynical we would all be in a much better place. Nothing else for the hateful people to do but to try and shove their anger and hatred on to others I guess

All is possible, negative maybe but possible, also she was over 6 years old and could know the books they don’t open anymore, the CD's they don’t usually use, again it is all possible, so instead of ppl getting but hurt over being cold, well don’t just say they are heartless enlighten them and same goes for ppl who don’t believe.. Keep an open mind... food for thought...

I believe this happened and is NOT a fake-bogus story. How little faith people have and cold hearted as well. It is VERY possible to have not found even ONE note until after she left them. Just they way it should have happened. A beautiful story of LOVE and faith...for her parents.

So a little girl dies of cancer and here parents publish a feel good story to warm the hearts of jaded Americans. And this is a problem why? I am embarrassed to be an American. What a disgusting bunch of savages we have become. When we clubbed women and grunted we were much more civilized. Please swine flu, kill us all. Quickly.

The comments posted about this story being "fake" show exactly how idiotic the vocal majority is.

You're probably the same 'tards who worry and scream about "death panels" - which was completely false and untrue but you believed it because you were told to, without any research on your own.

Here's an uplifting - allbeit sad - story and you spew bile and hatred because you've nothing better to do.

Worthless idiots.

Gosh!!! She had a child with brain cancer! She wasn’t gonna say oh my child has brain cancer I’m going to clean my house WTF!!!! I would have spent every single second with her!!!!!!!!

What a special little girl. I can't imagine losing any of my children. My heart goes out to her parents. God obviously needed another special little angel!

screw all u guys who say doctors dont give time lines to how long someone has to live. when my dad was sick with cancer they told my mom he had 6mths to live they were right. i feel for the parents of the lil girl, can you imagine how it must have felt finding those notes just randomly. and honestly who cleans cd cases & books anyway??? especially when u are so upset about the loss of ur child. she probably just placed them in places that she knew they would eventually find them but not right away. i cant even imagine what the parents are going through right now. they are in my prayers!!

Rhonda 189 GOD BLESS you > not the same as 188 ? i hope NOT .I have read what some of you all have written.And to tell you the truth iam sick to my stomach how insenceitive some have been on this matter.iam reading this book right now and what i feel is God forbid anyone need understanding compassion kindness at a time like this or just in general your problems. And by the way the same arthor of this book also wrote many many Tuesdays With Maury ect ect.i guess hes lieing too?? Dont bother contacting me about my writeing/spelling because in the big picture of life it doesnt matter and FRANKLY I DONT GIVE A DAMM
I will close as i always do As always God Bless be well and try wishing that for others.Things have a way of coming back to you !

im almost 50,w/m,hard worker and dad to 3 and grampa to two....elanas empathy is staggering,leaving notes to her mom and dad was so wonderfully beautiful and sincere that i cried reading this. what a wonerful and awesome little girl she was. i would not be surprised if her art becomes famous. her parents were fortunate to have her for any time at all...i will always love Elena and i will try to always love like Elena did.

Amazing how many comments posted by people who have obviously not had a terminally sick child or parent. Nothing gets cleaned - between the care, hospital, doctor appointments and cherishing the little time left, things often begin to mound.

The key word here is she "HID" the notes - between books & CDs, in drawers, etc. Once again, most comments posted by someone who hasn't lost someone near and dear to them. Between the loss and not wanting to face the child's bedroom, toys, books, clothing and using the time for other things, I do not find this unbelievable.

I'd love to see your comments once you experience either or both - though I do not wish it on anyone.

Have faith - love grows and gives - even from a terminally sick child.

Wow I started to tear up when I got done reading this story. That is the most cutiest and best thing a child can for thier parents when they leave this world. I send many blessing to you. For all of you who left bad comments and negative things to say, "I HOPE THAT ONE DAY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS OR THOSE WHO HAVE KIDS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO YOU. THEN YOU WILL KNOW HOW IT FEELS WHEN YOU READ THE THINGS THAT YOU LEFT!"

Common guys who take the time to clean everyday between "CD cases, bookshelves, Christmas ornament bags"? you might pass a duster over the CD and books but you don't check one by one every time you clean; besides they notes were "hidden", it's not like she left them on plain sight.

So the story it's plausible, besides the NBC video interview was told the girl couldn't speak when her condition got worst SO it was not unusual for her to write notes.

I just want to point out that the story does not say when the girl hid the notes. It only says that she hid them at sometime, and was diagnosed at one time to live 155 days when she actually lived 255 after. She could have hidden them on the 254th day, and the parents could have found the notes two days later following her death theoretically. I don't see anything unrealistic about this story. It could have happened anytime in 255 days. It's a nice thought whether it's real or not.

you people make me so mad!!!!!!!!
how the heck can you be that low and say that!!!!!????
your not a genious so how are you suppose to know if its true or not????????!!!!!
but you know what?
you not a genious and your not the family!!!!!
so dont go around judging other people or calling them liars until you walked in there shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!

It amazes me that no one can understand how a young child can leave notes in a place where even when you are cleaning the house that you will not find them right away. Maybe they didn't play or touch some of their cd's for a long time and didn't find the ones in the backpacks that they don't use except for certain occasions. Have some compasion for a change and stop looking so negative; and we all wonder what's going wrong in the world...

Rachael you mention days ... and weeks. Not months? Why not months? And the extent this girl hid a lot of notes ... but they didn't find them for months or notice anything at all. Interesting .... i think something just hit me... maybe it isn't true.

Every single dime that this book makes is donated to finding a cure. The family of this little girl is doing nothing but trying to help others. Know the facts before you write.

aww..?.! (u guys dont understand their situation) ! god help u....! i feel for the family ! GOD BLESS !! i hope the best for the family...!!!?

I think this is the sweetest story I've heard in a long time. What bittersweet moments these parents must have experienced every time they found one of Elena's little love messages. I mean, we could all be skeptical, that's easy to do. But to believe this story and fall in love with it takes some effort. I think what the parents are doing by having the proceeds from this book go to cancer research is phenomenal. One day there will be a cure for cancer and I hope I'm alive to see the day. God Bless all of you, especially the skeptics.

She is sooooooo cute!!! i feel so sorry 4 her and her parents. Thoughs love notes were r adorible!!!:)

Im the tough dad, sports smack, talkin and all... just reading whats goin on in our world... job loss, bad economy, tyhoons, earth quakes. happened upon this story... made me cry and go hugg my boys... very touching. May the lord rest her soul... what a sweet baby.
how come we all just can't take a hat off to a baby who barely got to taste life new more about love than the negativity coming from some of the comments here.

Hats off to the family

She is sooooooo cute!!! i feel so sorry 4 her and her parents. Thoughs love notes were r adorible!!!:).

Compassion for people who cook up stories for an agenda? I have none what so ever, they can go fuck themselves.

also, it's very likely that her parents were searching through old belongings following her death to remember her. Common household cleaning trends have little to do with this story.

You know it mnakes me sick to live in a world where most of the people who write negative comments will cry when Barack Obama gives a speech. This is a lost world. A beautiful little girl is dead and parents are left grieving and all you cold hearted idiots can do is doubt the veracity of the story? But if we hear a press release from the White House about a new puppy or how the president handed out candy you would all be talking about how the wonder and inspiration behind the story. People are cynical for the wrong reasons. This country is lost.

if it was 1 note or a thousand what does it matter to anyone. if it is real or fake again what does it matter. maybe they did expand the amount, maybe they didnt. but i will say this as a father of 3 and 2 of which are my lil girls i do believe this story and i find it amazing that a 6 yr old child had more courage and love in her heart than most people. she obviously knew that what she was doing would help her parents with the healing after she was gone. maybe its time we started believing in people rather than doubting everyone, especially when its a 6 yr old girl faced with a terminal illness. until your in her shoes you have no idea what you would do or how you would react, so lay off the negative comments and become a believer i know i am.

Its really sad that you low down dirty incompotent people have the guption to say that these people are faking this hust to sell a book or whatever. Wow! They dont have anything to prove to you all and god as my witness if they are lying they will pay for it so dont judge them. THis story was very touching and i wanted to shed a tear. Do you people even think before you leave comments?! Honostly. Imagine what these poor people have gone through. Ughh. The previous negative comments truely discust me. Some people are not as low down, dirty, and ignorant as others!!
Signed,
Angrey and Confuesed

how could some of u say those kinds of things. angles work in magical ways. if it is a lie let the parents live with it. no need to say its a lie morons!

I felt compelled to write because it not issue if you believe or not, they don't have to prove anything to you, those of you who are negative. This story is for those who want to do something positive in negative world. May the family of that little girl be ever blessed with those notes that she left.

They have some cruel people in this world, to post comments like that and be disheartless.

Wow, this just shows you not having fellow feeling. Most of you with the neg. comments must of never lost a child. This story looks very REAL! I would have loved to have notes from my loved one like this. That just shows how sweet and SMART she was at such a young age.

All I can say is... R.I.P. Elana! Bless your soul... all else is actually irrelevant & majority fail to realize this!

You're with the Angels now...

<3 Gigi <3

This story is really heartwarming.I think that nobody would lie about something like that especially if it is about a person that died.I doubt that her parents lied about the notes. Some people think that it is a lie, but I think that cleaning the house doesn't really matter when you know your daughter is about to die.

everyone leaving rude comments are just that rude. fake or not lets not be stupid here. keeps those opinions to yourself. if i were the parents and it were not a fake as some are calling it i would be heartbroken. stop being asses

While this is a tragic event I must tell you the following.

Not only is the story fake but so are most of the notes written. My neighbor is a Forensic Handwritting Expert for the State of California.

These notes were writtem by an adult trying to emulate a child's handwriting. The angles on the "A" are too precise as well as the alignmnet in most instances.

Same thing for the skewed humps on the hearts. Very precise. The consistent overlapping on the bottom of the hearts is a sign of an experienced and well defined motor skill of an adult.

The capitilization of the letter A is consistemt with a mature and experienced writer.

There were many other subtle, but tell-tale signs of this being a fake work of art.

I agree with the cause but the method stinks to high heaven.

~Lanie~

I pray for healing for the parents and family. To all of the people who have obviously NEVER suffered a loss how lucky you are. To all the people who have suffered loss it's a hard road to walk down. I have two boys and to think that this could be me,tears me apart.When you are in the middle of losing someone nothing else matters! From my experience in the last 12 years I've lost a niece a brother a father two dear friends and an uncle. Death makes everything else so small. I pray for all the people on here that have some type of evil in them,because if they didn't they sure wouldn't post comments as horrible as the ones I've been reading!

So many cynics! I heard about this on my radio station yesterday morning and I've done a little research into it before posting this. Why can't you believe that this did happen and that a family, cramming as much time as possible with their dying child, would overlook the notes? I would be focusing on my child! As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine how heart-wrenching the loss of my child would be.

that ia sweet and if you think whoever wrote this was lieing tthen something is wrong with you becaouse who would lie about a baby girl dieing!!

Hey people her parents didn't have to tell her she was dying ,she was sick not stupid she knew she was dying and she wanted her parents know she loved them and GOD gave her a way of doing that. I'm so sorry for your lost.

I cannot believe the cynical attitude of some of the poster's comments.
A child died of a very bad illness.
As for Mr. Doctor who said physicians do not tell terminal patients how long they have in days....
I challenge that because whem my sister had leukemia...she was told she had 45 days to live...she died on the 42nd day.
The same is true of my father...he was given 5 weeks to live..and lived 5 1/2 weeks.
Instead of judging and guessing why dont you all go out and buy the book....or make a donation to help find a cure for this disease?

this is a sweet story and attests to the fact that children know more than they show somtimes. if my child was given 4 1/2 months to live i most likely would not be dusting the bookcase either. and to the oncology nurse of 15 yrs, when my father was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer they gave him an approximation of days as well. so that does happen. and he died of brain cancer. it is a horrible disease to watch a loved one die from. most likely when they found a few notes they began to actually look for them, and who is to say she didnt start leaving them until she felt like she was getting ready to die. prays to the family for their loss. please ppl do not be so harsh, this is someones little girl.

I recently lossed a daughter too. Your priorities change. Cleaning, organizing, paying bills, going to work even eating is not a priority. You have to realize that families need time to go through everything. . It can take months to even contemplate looking at things. We just took down the crib that my daughter never got to use. Our daughter died in January.
Then it takes months for a book to be published. If that is something that helps them live with their daughters death and gives them a meaning and purpose to her death then you need to respect it.
As a grieving mother to the rest of society you need to think before you speak. Society needs to be respectful to grieving families and their decisions. Each day, month, holiday or year is not easy.

Everybody wants to be the "smart one" who ferrets out the truth in every story. This is a family who lost their little girl. A six-year-old child! I am as cynical as the next, but sometimes you should shut your mouth and open the part of your brain that controls humanity. You know nothing of this family or this story, yet you're peeing your pants to write something negative. Look at me! I discovered a discrepancy! You are sad, pathetic subhumans. May something like this never happen to you.

Beautiful story. Very sad for little Elena. Kudos to her parents for trying to help others. If you didn't notice, the book is being sold to fund an organization that will help combat pediatric brain cancer.

Dear all ,after reading some negative comments here,I felt writing something came into my heart.We are no one to judge others.Instead of finding fault with others,please do pray for them. We are not worthy to say what is right or wrong in the eyes of Lord.It is he who discerns the right and wrong.May God comfort this family in their sorrows.

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
The only people who saw this article as, ahem, "using a dead kid to sell fiction" are the people who even THINK about exploiting someone's death to make a profit. Why don't you even read the freaking article? Way to destroy the beauty of such a touching story.

To anyone thinking this is a fake - I'm sure it's NOT!! My son is about to turn 6. He is having so much fun learning to read and write out words that he knows. He writes many many pages of notes and pictures EVERY single day after school. Most of them telling us how much he likes and loves every single member of our family. I can definitely see him doing something exactly the same if he were in her position!!!!!!!!!!

To be honest, it was only months after her death and I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO ANY THNG BUT MORN AND BE SAD FOR LIKE 8 TO A YEAR AFTER LOSING MY DAuGHTER(OR SON)..our best friend is dying(has days left and we pray a thank you every day we are given one more)of cancer so i think whether true or not give the family some slack...trade places and see if u would do something different.

I will say this. I am a mother of 3 children ages 2,6, and 8. I can not imagine going through what the parents or this little girl did. I think this little girl hid those notes well, as all kids no how to do. Cleaning the house or not, they where not looking for the letters or pictures so of course they didn't find them. Also this little girl was more grown in her mind than a lot of adults I know. I would be sad and happy to have found these notes from her to know that she cared and loved us for the time she was here. R.I.P. little one. And all of you that made bad comments shame on you. There daughter was dying of cancer they where not concerned with dusting the place or moving certain books. Geeze have some respect it's not a funny story.

Even if it is a lie or not, let the mother/parents grieve how she wants to. Everyone deals with things different and in their own way!

OMG I FEEL SO BAD FOR THAT FAMILY IT MUST OF BEEN SO HARD FOR THEIR SWEET DAUGHTER TO BE GONE LIKE THAT I THINK IT WAS SO CUTE WHAT SHE DID WITH THE NOTES WOW I FEEL SO BAD FOR THAT FAMILIES YOU GUYS NEED TO CALM DOWN I DON’T THINK THEY WOULD OF HAD THEIR MINDS ON IF THE HOUSE WAS CLEAN OR NOT THEY WOULD OF WANTED TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME POSSIBLE WITH THEIR KID NOT CLEANING THE HOUSE YALL STUPID FOR WHO EVER THINKS THAT AGAIN TO THE FAMILIES I AM VERY SORRY =D

I have the pleasure of knowing this family who has dedicated their lives to trying to keep others from going through the same heartbreak they had to deal with. The story and the people are 100% for real. What is more, 100% of the profits go to fighting childhood cancer.

I have to say, for those of us that HAVE lost a child, you don't think about the small things for a LONG time....ESPECIALLY "spring cleaning" your house. Like this family, I lost my young daughter and speak from experience. I think it's terrible how negative, cold, and skeptical our society has become. And usually children with cancer tend to have a more "mature" outlook on life since they are forced to face reality at a young age, so it is entirely possible that she left notes for her parents. It's possible that they didn't need to tell her that she was dying, she may have known that all by herself. Children are not stupid. I feel terrible for this family and shame on all of the negative, heartless people out there! God forbid you ever have to live through the loss of your own child. Until then, you have NO IDEA what it's like.

This is amazing...I love this story and to all of you people who don't believe...get a life and move on, you guys are just so dang miserable with your own lives that you take it out on others...get a life!!!!! Also that you can't believe that a little girl could've hid stuff under beds, in her parents drawers in-between clothes, so on and so on. I agree with Shannon....People that would take the time to leave a negative comment about this posting are the sorriest type of human and it makes me embarrassed that I share the same species with them. When you loose a child it is so horrendous - there isn't even a name for what you become....but there is a name for those neigh sayers and negative posters out there......ugly waste of space.

Cynical people suck! Your the ones that make the world a worse place to live!!!!!!

To the people who question the girl knowing she'll be dead, and wanting to leave nice things behind to her family...

Many of the children I've worked with over the years in oncology and pediatrics KNOW the weight of what they're going through, no matter how hard parents and doctors try to keep it from them.

I've seen 4 year olds draw pictures that are clearly meant to deal with their knowledge of death and separation from their family, and their hopes that their family will be well and happy after they're gone.

One that sticks with me was a picture of a patient drew where she was sitting on top of a rainbow, sprinkling fairy dust while her family picnicked below. When I asked her about it, she explained the photo, and that she worried her family would be sad forever, like they are when they visited her.

This is one reason why I urge the parents I work with to be honest with their children, without taking away hope. It's much worse for a child to guess at what's not being said. They understand and know more than we give them credit for.

I think this is such a sweet story. i have a little girl who is two. I cant imagine what it would be like to know i only had a few months left with her. and of course you would tell your child they are dying. Its not like they wont notice. Kids do things like that all the time. i wish the family many blessings. Its wonderful to make it a book and donate the money to a chairty in her name!

Ok seriously people, get a life. If you have negative comments no one wants to read them. These parents are going through a great loss, I can't even imagine and you losers have nothing better to do then sit in the internet and bash them and call them liars? I have an idea, get off the internet and go spend your energy doing something instead of hurting people over the internet... you are all real mature.
As for the parents of the little girl, I am so sorry. I truly hope this book helps the charity and someone out there can find a cure help another child in the future the way yours wasn't able to be. But I hope you guys get through this, and don't listen to the negative people, there lives are just miserable and they want to spread the misery. I am sorry people like that are allowed to even speak on these things.

I believe this story is very possible. The young girl was old enough to notice the signs around her. That she may be possibly passing early in life was something I'm sure she could feel and recognize. She could have hid the messages in places that would not be regularly cleaned, making them hard to find unless you were looking for them. In between CDs, under an old vase that was up high, taped under a chair, these are all places that may have not been looked at for some time. I believe it and am sorry for the family.

I'm sure the li'l pumpkin was a sweetie, BUT I'm in the same camp as Schorsh, and others skeptics that are asking, the parents never cleaned house in 255 days and didn't find ONE SINGLE note....none were found until AFTER her death.......with all due respect, horse-feathers.

I want to believe it. Thing is ... you all say Doctors don't give dates? Well my sister has a blood disorder and based on the Doctor ... had she died when he told her she had 4 months ... she would have missed out on the last 5 years of her life.
They do give dates. Not to the exact hour or day but they told her 4 months.
The negitive posts are from very sad people who for whatever reason have lost faith. Sorry for you.
Even if it is not real ... whats wrong with something that touches the heart.... provided you have one.

Okay listen i do not think it is fake so all you BULLSH***ing Oars You need to check yourself you need to settle down and stop passing judgement you don't know if it's true or not so stop your STUPID DISGUSTING COMMENTS AND GO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN MAKING ME FEEL EVEN WORSE ABOUT SHARING THE SAME SPECIES WITH YOU EVERY SINGLE BAD COMMENT SHOWS HOW STUPID HOW DUMB HOW WELL HOW UNINTELLIGENT YOU ARE EVEN LOWER THAN HELL IT'S SELF SO WORD TO THE WISE DON'T SPEAK OF WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT!!!!

Wow it's sad how jaded peole are. These people lost their 6 year old daughter and you want to say that this is bogus! WHO CARES!!!! If it makes them feel better then good for them. You obviously dont have kids or if you do your just heartless pathetic people! Also it's not like they are making a profit off of the book! It's all for a non-profit org.

Did you even take the time to read where she had left the notes, in cd cases, dresser drawers, book bags, behind book cases. Don't you think its possible that they didn't find them till after she passed. I sure don't look through all those things when I'm cleaning my house, honestly do you? This is a sweet story.

So... maybe they knew that she was hiding a note or two around the house... what should they have done, stopped her? I love it when my son leaves me a note around the house for me to find when he's at school. How wonderful if they find one in 5 - 10 - 50 years.

To everyone who has something negative to say about this poor family and especially the person who thinks that religion is a conspiracy. Your are all the reason why our world is so messed up. you are the reason why judgment day is coming and I know the devil has a place for you in Hell where you can burn for the rest of eternity, I would like to see you talk about a hoax or a conspiracy then. You all make me sick. My condolences go out to the family of this little girl I can't ever imagine how I would feel if something like that happened to my daughter. Especially if there were stupid people like these making such negative comments about it.

I am sorry to bust your bubbles but, Doctors really do give time lines to dying cancer patients. In Nov. 1988 my father was given 2 weeks after FINALLY diagnosing him with Pancreatic Cancer. He made it until just past Fathers day 1989. The same with my Brother in 1995. Only the Docs were more exact with their 2 months yime line.

To All of you Cynical Naysayers....

I an sick to death of the ignorant A-holes in this world that are so demented and twisted, that they have difficulty understanding that these parents are in unbelieveable pain, having lost a daughter, and that your ignorance and stupidity only adds to the pain they are already feeling.

What has happened to civility, compassion and decency? Shame on all of you haters.

This story is beautiful, I could'nt believe that this little girl did that. I believe she did it to keep her parents from losing there faith. Look if I had a child and died from cancer, I would love to think she left something of her life here for me and her father. Although it would bring tears to your eyes, but it shows you that your daughter/son was stronger than you ever thought. I love my parents very much and if I was dying from cancer I would leave something of my life here on Earth to tell my parents one last time how much I loved them and was glad to be there daughter. So come on everybody you need to stop and think for yourselves and not say it's a false story beacause you never know oneday it might your child. Think and react, because you never know what life may bring.

you haters are fugly bit@hes.

It is called Non-profit for a reason.

Stop acting like morons.

If this is too difficult for you, I have advised a plan
1) Crawl in a hole
2) Stay in that hole
3) Die in that hole

People, first think about how you existing and after try to judge anyone. If you cannot say anything good then don't say anything. Sorry for parents and their lost.
God bless all of you people.

MY HEART JUST FELT OVER WHELM BY NOTES LEFT BEHIND. SHE IS LETTING YOU KNOW THAT SHE IS WATCHING OVER HER PARENTS AND SISTER. WHAT A GARDEN ANGEL. WE ALL COULD USE ALOT OF GARDEN ANGLES. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL IN GOOD HEALTH.

True or not, as a mum to 2 young kids this brought a tear to my eye. Totally possible that notes could be hidden - my kids are fit & well & the dusting rarely gets done!
At the end of the day the profits from the book (fiction or not) are all going to a charity that is dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer. Is there a problem with that?

all i say is god forgive all those with a negetive heart....my bother lost his little girl to cancer she was 3 years old and i lost my stepmother to cancer too and a special aunt died of cancer..and yes you don't have time to clean or anything...i lived though this. you tend to loose track of time... so please if you don't have something nice to say to these parents keep your ugly commentes to your self.....if all those who think there perfect throw the first stone...god for give all you negetive people....may god give strenth to these parents god bless you

Everyone who says that oh who would tell a 6 year old they only have so long to live did you ever think that maybe they didnt maybe she just knew it herself she might not of known how long she had to live but knew it was something that could happen and was going to happen you dont know how she felt.When I first read this I did not once think it was fake it sounded something like a kid would do and if my child had brain cancer I know cleaning this house would be the last thing I was worried about.

Some of these comments that were made about the little girl and the notes are uncalled for.
When I read the article on what happen to the girl, the parents are finding comfront in their grieving. This is a coping skill to help them grieve for their lost love one.
I remember a few years back when a mother got mad at her little boy because he used all the wrapping paper to wrap up a big box. The little boy wrapped up the box for her Birthday because he was to young to go shopping by himself, so he wrapped the box and put it under his Mom's bed, and a few days later the boy passed away. When the Mom found the box under her bed she opened it and there inside was a note, everytime you open this Mom its filled with love, Happy Birthday Mom.
I don't remember the name of the boy, but that story and this story has meaning. These parents are finding hope to get on with their lives.
Lets show some respect to them and for their little girl.

This is a great story! Would any of you non-believers really take the time to clean your house if your little girl was dying? If I had a hundred days to live I would think of a million different things to do. Who the heck has time to clean when you're skydiving, swimming with dolphins, and landing that 300lb Marlin?
I applaud the family for posting this! If there is any way that it can help out other families then they are totally doing the right thing.
Josh

I looked up this little girl and it turns out its not a hoax she was featured on ABC's GOOD MORNING AMERICA To all those people who said otherwise it turns out you were all wrong!

Regardless-true story or not, I am ashamed that people would leave a negative comment! If you are skeptical of the story, pass on by to the next thing in the possibility this may be true! It hurts my heart to see any negativity or criticism on an article dealing with a child's death! I have three children, my oldest being 5-she draws pictures like this all of the time & it really bothers me to see sweet pictures & such a beautiful little face & scroll down to read remarks such as these! Shame on everyone & if this story is in fact true-think of the loss her family has gone through! They may have reached out in hopes to deal with such a loss only to find out how shallow and cynical people actually are! What is this world coming to??????

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33505351/ns/today-today_books/

the link to the Today Show site about the interview with her parents about the book and their daughter.

um...hello!?!? all profits too a charitable organization? yeah...what douches these parents are!! jeez.

I find it incredibly horrible how some people can make assumptions about a lil girls story...Her notes were made into a book to sell and the proceeds to go to the CAUSE TO FINDING A CURE FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER...and seriously if you had been a parent going through a situation as theirs cleaning would be the last thing on their minds(not that I'm saying their not clean)but obviously having a sick dying child who is yours....the days are few and spending it with them is something that no one can replace. Finding notes around their home and sharing it with the world probably brought the upmost comfort to them and on top of that raising money they make with the proceeds from the book will help so many others and maybe even you one day!!!!...GOD BLESS Elena and Her Family and may they find comfort in the biggest Cause of ALL, Giving to Others!

um...hello!?!? all profits to a charitable organization? yeah...what douches these parents are!! jeez.

You know, true or false, this is a beautifully sweet story. All of you who claim it bogus should be ashamed of yourselves. The number of notes may in fact be "bogus" but the basis of the story is true. And these people have published them for all the world to see; to share the pain and love; AND if you take the time to Google it, in fact all of the money from this book IS going to cancer research. Have a little faith in humanity people!!! Not everyone is as horrible and money-hungry as you may think

I to have had family members die of cancer. When my mom was diagnosed they were pretty sure that had caught it in time and they were very hopeful, however, things took a turn for the worse and on August 18, 2001 the doctors told us she had maybe six weeks to live, she died on October 3, 2001 that was just over 6 weeks. My family thinks that I'm a clean freak and I probably am a little eccentric when it comes to house cleaning but I don't dust every book on the book shelf or every cd on the rack and I as a parent would probably do no cleaning if I was told my child was not going to live past 4 or 6 months. Maybe the story is over exaggerated but the main thing is more money will be raised for more research and that is a wonderful thing. My heart goes out to the family. We all should remember: "If you can't say something nice don't say nothing at all." God Bless the family.

First of all to Schrosch, now on earth can you say this is fake? Do you have children? If your child was diagnosed with a terminal illness, would YOU be concerned with cleaning the house??? I wonder about you.

Well, she is in Heaven now. God bless her family.

They never said all the notes were found at the same time. They said hundreds of notes were left, so its logical to assume they found them in time, more and more. Even while cleaning it was easy to miss things like cd cases, pots and kettles etc etc.

I dont know if its real or not, but to say its obviously fake is pushing it.

I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED BY THESE POSTS THAT SAY THIS IS A HOAX OR FAKE OR USING A DEAD KID TO SELL BOOKS. I AM RELATED TO THE FAMILY (FIRST COUSIN TO THE MOM) AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. I HAVE SEEN THE NOTES, AND THEY DO FILL TWO RUBBERMAID TOTES. HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER BEEN TO A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR A SIX YEAR OLD, WHILE HER FOUR YEAR OLD SISTER AND KINDERGARDEN CLASSMATES ARE SITTING ALONG SIDE YOU? YOU SHOULD REALLY THINK BEFORE YOU POST, BECAUSE KARMA IS OUT THERE.

Wow, I can't believe what I'm reading! Even if it is exaggerated, the parents are donating the proceeds to children's cancer research. Give them credit! Geez!!

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh. she is so so cute. why the cancer would go to her body.
she is prety, i feel so sorry for her.
:}

Thes emay seem bogus or fake to some, but I know for a fact this could be true.

I have experienced similar things as to what the little girl did, leaving notes for loved one's. My significant other's Mother passed away nearly 10 years ago. While recently going through old books she had, drawers, boxes, etc we have found little notes she left for him. They both knew she was sick and had limited time, and I feel that she placed these little notes throughout the house so that he would find them over time, and remember that she will always love him, and be watching over him.

Oh My Gosh!!! I can't BELIEVE MY EYES. I really HOPE AND PRAY that any one will never have to go thru what this family did. I lived in WYOMING OHIO where this happened. She was such a BRAVE little girl!! God blees her family and may they raise LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY FOR HER CANCER RESEARCH!!! If all you stupid people dont believe it just go to the website THE CURE STARTS NOW. While your at it see if you can get a bumper sticker like I have on my car. Like almost everyone in WYOMING has. I wish when my little brother past away from cistic fibrous that he would've left my mother notes like that. Maybe the greiving would have been a little easier. And he also knew he was gonna pass away before he was 10. Oh and one more thing I would'nt clean my house either!!!

God bless Elena's soul. May she rest in peace.

I believe this story! Please! a 6 year old leaving love notes for her parents, come on people why is that so hard to imagine? My beautiful 7 yr old daughter, leaves love notes for her dad and I all the time, all over our house, God forbid she ever becomes terminally ill,I know she would do the same thing, you don't have to tell the child she is dying, she would know because her angels would be preparing her for her return home to God and Jesus. I pray that Elenas parents never read your pathetic heartless comments. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!! HAVE A HEART

Mabe the simple fact that the parents lost their child would explain the time it took for them to find her notes.It is not easy to look at certain things or do certain things that related to the loss of a child.That is any parents worse nightmare,to outlive their children.Maybe it took them that long because they are still dealing with tha fact that she is gone,still grieving.My condolences go out to that family.At least them finding the notes gives them some kind of comfort and brightens their hearts day by day.

I pray that the family won't read the heartless comments that so many readers have written. This family lost their beautiful child, and is wanting to do something special in her name. God help us when we have to be so judgemental in another person's loss. How sad our society has become.

Well now... Look on the bright side. Michael Jackson can sing to her "THIS IS IT!"

I did see this in the news..and Im sure,as it was suggested above, that it was researched before being put on air. There are many people out there dying of cancer, a lot of the little ones.

As for the question "Who would tell a 6 yr old they are dying?" I think its just common decency that you tell a child they are dying just as much as you would tell a 20,30 or 60 yr old person they are dying of cancer. They are children, they are not stupid. They know what they feel, and they dont feel well. I know I would tell my daughter(s), GOD FORBID, that they had something wrong with them.

Myabe those who are cynical here are the faithless people. You poor souls. I have faith, so do my girls and so does my husband...all of my family has faith. We all think that because this is a child, that she couldn't have understood what was going on. Children have more understanding in all of their being that most adults have in one cell of their brain. Children have the gift of innocence and therefore see through a clear lense where as most of us have filters.

This family CLEARLY has the gift of faith. They obviously planted the seed in their child and she understood what was going to happen to her. She also obviously knew that her parents might be saddened by her leaving...she probably saw her parents crying. Children are very empathetic, prompting her to create little notes to make her death a little lighter on her parents each time they found a note.

And yes, I agree...what parents is concerned about dusting and straighting when your child is dying...I know that would my LAST concern.

To those who find it hard to believe that a six year old can do something like this you must not know children very well. It's not that they didin't clean the properly it's the fact that she hid them in places you normally would think about cleaning unless your a compulsive cleaner and you have to clean in between every nook and cranny. What they may have over this course were these notes she left knowing that they would someday want to pick out a CD and there was a note she left or a note left under some old clothes that they would eventually have to move. So hold the negative comments and think about what a remarkable little she was to do this and leave something for them to remember her even though she was dying, God Blessed her and her family too.

i agree with you nate

Wow. I can't believe the idiocy and cynicism of some of these comments. First of all, if it's fake like you say (which its probably not) SO WHAT? It's funding cancer research, which could help all of us in the future. My condolences to the Desserich family, and I hope they found a little flash of happiness from those notes.

This happened to my friend and he died and he left letters around the house so dont saythat this story is crap cause it aint and how could you sick freaks swear and be negative about thatsweel girl died. Ps guy is stupid God does exist and the girl is with him now.
Thank you for the ppl who wrote POSITIVE comments!

FIY al skeptics out there DIPG does shorten the life span to that extent,and that is what Elena had please show some compassion for the family.they have been through enough already they do not need this type of talk.read up on the facts of dipg and then you will know what kind of strength the mum dad and sister had to display through all of it.
my heart goes out to them.

Truly bogus.. dying patients DO NOT get a specific time that they will live for..and in this story they used days to be exact beat it . =/ sad that some people are promoting there money schemes through cancer!

Damn my manly self was ready for this, almost cried reading it, what a tough cookie.

You people with negativity, you are really pathtic. This is a wonderful story about a wonderful little girl and how she left notes. Thats why the world is like it is because of all the negative things people say. This is the sweetest story I have ever read

Final note... I do feel sorry for those that have suffered through cancer. If this girl did in fact die of it, then that is a shame and is horrible. I have had several great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, friends, coworkers, etc. that have been touched by cancer. My beef is with the sheeple that are so quick to attack intelligent individuals that question a story that sounds fabricated or embellished for added sympathy. A girl got cancer and died. Very sad. Not the issue. This story reeks of circa 1980's (boy with Leukemia living in hospital for 2 years has last dying wish to meet Magic Johnson and to go to Disneyland before the Lord takes him home) bullsh!t. After watching parents like "Balloon Boy" use their children to attain fame, nothing is above questioning.

I lost my son 4years ago tomorrow. You can never know the lost feeling if you havn't been there. Lies or not if it helps them get past this pain AND helps other children, good for them

Ya know if you all re-read this story again-it states after she died in 2007 they began to find little Love notes from Elena. Children are great at hiding things! And instead of finding the beauty in this story you are all complaining about the house cleaning! Its not about the house cleaning its about little love letters left from their dying daughter to her Mom and Dad. I have only found that you have all picked this to pieces and are so negative!! I can only pray that if I am to ever loose a child that I would be so fortunate as to find little love letters around my home, to hold deep within my heart and hand.

Did you hateful jerks read the NON PROFIT part of the article? These people are sharing the love of their late daughter to help others.

How sad you people are to be so negative. I am an oncologist and yes, if asked, I will give a time span on about how long someone can expect to live (if you were dying or someone you love wouldn't you like to know about how long you had to live and do things). I am sure he/she did not say 135 days but probably said 4-5 months (135 days). In the article she lived 255 days so obviously it is not an exact science, only a timeline and guide for people. You cynical people are pathetic. Dealing with dying people day in and day out I see the best and worst in people. You all are definitely at the top of the worst list. If you get cancer in the future, make sure you remember what you have written here and DO NOT ask the doctor how long you have to live. It is sad to call people like you human as there is nothing "humane" about you.

right. so when everyone on this post has a child die at an early age from some traumatic disease make sure you clean their room pronto after the funeral. practice what you preach.

Doctors estimate the time that you have left all the time. I have TWO relatives who have gotten such an estimate due to cancer. One was just three months. I have known people with relatives who were given a certain number of weeks. When I read the "135 days" I just assumed that they were likely given four and a half months and the family converted it into days just to take things one day at a time. When cancer is that serious, all you have is the day that you have and you can't count on any others. But then, I'm not part of the desensitized generation out there right now.

For all of you that refuse to believe this heartfelt story,you are ignorant and living in darkness. Pull your heads out of your asses that you may see the light!

My heart goes out to the family and to everyone who left a negative comment you make me SICK! Children are smarter than most of you think and sometimes they can be more grown-up than most adults in situations like this and sometimes they just know. This little girl wanted her family to know that she loved them and for those of you who left the negative comments have a little HEART AND FAITH!

I cannot believe the comments I have read about the parents not cleaning and so forth. I think that if notes were hidden in a CD case or back pack for example then it may be many months before those items were opened, especially if they brought back memories that are hard to confront and deal with. Remember we are talking about the loss of a child here and for all of you people who do not seem to realize what it is like to be a parent loosing a child then prey to God it never happens to you. Just the fact that this little girl left hundreds of notes and her parents are able to feel her through finding and reading them is a comfort for the tragedy that this family has had to live through. For all of the people who question publishing the notes, I see that there is no profit for the parents but all monies go to fighting this terrible disease. So what are all the negative comments about? I remember along time ago I was taught that people will accuse other people of things that they themselves are capable of doing so for all of you accusers out there take a look in the mirror!!!!!

Who knew there were so many heartless bastards in this world. Who gives a shit if the story is fake? The fact is a little girl died too early and wrote some sweet notes behind. Weather she hid them, or like any six year old, was just constantly writing little notes, doesn't matter. By the way it clearly stated that the proceeds from the book went towards pediatric cancer research. Before you judge why don't you try to find your own fucking heart.

To all of you who immediately are calling this story bogus or otherwise.
How nice to hide behind a computer and say a bunch of nasty and uncalled for comments you wouldn't have the guts to say in person.
If you can't say anything nice then damn it don't say anything at all.
I bought the book, I'm contributing to the cause because everyone is just one illness, this one or another, away from this same situation.

@Schorsch (the first post'er)
You idiot who would be cleaning their house at a time when they are busy taking care of their dying daughter? Taking her to the hospital, caring for her at her worse and what not. Go find a better purpose in your life other than judging her parents a**hole. My condolences to this girls family especially her parents and I will buy that book.

Who cares if its fake or not!Are you people that cold hearted that you dont care that an innocent child is dead? What the fuck is your problem?!Arguing about it wont bring her back.

Rest in peace Baby girl,and God bless your family.

Its so nice to see that as a human race we have become calous and heartless... i have two children and i know personally that doctors are all different... just because one dr doesnt say things one way doesnt mean another dr wont say it that way! It is the people on here writing horrible comments that should be sterilized because they have no emotions with which to raise a child of their own properly... It isnt using a dead child to make money when the proceeds are going to go towards research so other children wont suffer the same fate. You people are ridiculous and there is only one word to describe you haters: s**mb*gs... As for the rest of you whom support these parents, thank you for being the only sane and reasonable people left in the world... God bless the parents and the hurt they will suffer for the rest of their lives.

I hope that all of the ignorant,cynical,unintelligent trash that put negative comments on this site will have someone very close to them die!! I will enjoy cursing them and watching them whine and moan! You people from this day forth are cursed!!!!! I love retribution!!

You obviously haven't had kids. I didn't do anything for a whole year after my girlfriend had a miscarriage.

I just wanted things to be left the way it was; all set up and ready for my baby.

I believe it happened these negative people should keep their thoughts to themself . So sorry this child died of cancer she must have really loved her parents they loved her as well.

that is just the point, if your little girl was diagnosied with cancer and given a time line to live. would she be alone long enough to leave secret little notes around the house that no one knew about? the answer is NO WAY. that is why it can not be true, sad as it is

Really? It's a nice story...there aren't very many around. Why can't you people just leave it at that?

When my granddaughter was diagnosed with leukemia in June it was devastating. The good news is she will or should recover and be cured. She spent nearly a month in the hospital undergoing spinal taps blood transfusions being poked and proded at all hours of the night, having to catch stool and urine samples to be tested. When she came home she had to endure intense chemo treatments 4 days a week. Pill after pill on a regular schedule. She had about 18 strands of hair left. She gets home schooled because something as simple as catching a cold can be fatal. Only about a year and a half of treatments to go, hopefully. If my daughter had time to clean between the CD cases I sure didn't see it. I'm glad these people are doing something in their daughters memory to help other who find themselves in what is probably the most difficult time of their lives. God bless them and Elena.

Ok you people are just totally sick! This 6 yr old little girl passed away and her parents found notes from her. What is wrong with them making a book in her honor? Absolutly nothing at all. What the problem is all you assholes that are talking negatively on here about her. A slo to "guy" who the hell do you think you are getting on here talking about there is no GOD? All of you negative pepole need to get a life and leave this family alone.
My thoughts and prayers to Elena's mommy adn daddy!

This is a very heartwarming story, so for that I choose to believe it. We all need to take a moment and look at the world around us, seriously people.....
as for the ppl that commented about telling the little girl that she was going to die, today's youth is growing up too fast, so at six she probably figured it out, what with all the trips to the dr office and hospitals and blood work that im sure was done, hell she probably flat out asked her parents if she was going to dye....that is what i find really sad....

Wow,we are in a fine mess judging by the comments left here,Shame on you doubters

I have 2 children of my own both both girls, one who just turned 6. This story touched me deeply. My 6 year old is somewhat of an artist too. She's always making us little notes that look almost identical to Elena's note. There is no way that this is a fake story. It's obvious that her parents are very loving people who were blessed to get to know this sweet little Angel. I believe she was just a loan to them from God to keep them strong and faithful and help others. God Bless Elena who is without a doubt smiling down on her parents and God Bless her parents. And you know what.... God bless all you negative people out there too, its not hard to be nice..... I think it actually takes more effort to be mean and spiteful. Pass on Love and compassion

I find this story completely believable. My beautiful six year old little girl loves to draw and can easily create a dozen or two of these types of notes every day that she shares with me and my wife.

And for anyone who doubts, just think about it. They find these notes in CD cases. When was the last time you looked through every CD case you have in your collection? They find them in between books on the bookshelves. Have you checked every book in your collection before going to bed tonight? Put something in the bottom of a dresser drawer. I bet the clothes get put right on top and nobody notices the things on the very bottom for a long time.

Learn to be a little more positive and supportive! As for me, I'll be buying this book (if not several to give as gifts as well) and giving my little girl an extra couple of hugs tonight along with my other kids. Be grateful for the time you have with them, you never know when it might come to an end.

I agree, the fact that they're offering up a book that all funds go to a non-profit orinization says everything in my book.

I am sorry to hear about this, i just thank god nothing happen to my little ones. You people should be ashamed of yourselves for posting these comments. You don't know what happen to this family and how things went down. You all have no hearts and may god have mercy on your souls and ask him to forgive you. Instead of passing judgement on others look at yourselve.

Well I have a chronically ill child. You have no idea the maturity these children face when they know their parents will be hurting when they are sick. My son was dealing with an illness since at birth and as time when on he knew that I was upset and having a hard time with what was coming he did nothing but bring happiness and laugher to our lifes. All the times he went into the hospital and we were getting ready to go he would write notes on our fridge, cupboards and the shower with a marker and leave them everywhere for us. All his favorire places had his smiles and love..So yes I think it' true and I hope for years to come they find her little notes...

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE PARENTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR INNOCENT CHILD TO THIS DEADLY DISEASE. FROM HER PICTURE SHE WAS A VERY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL!. TO ALL THE CRUEL HATEFUL PEOPLE. GET SOME COMMON SENSE AND A HEART. THINK AND GET ALL THE FACTS BEFORE YOU SPEAK. ELENA'S PARENTS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO HEAR HER VOICE IN PERSON, NEVER GET TO PLAY WITH HER, NEVER GO TO SCHOOL FUNCTIONS, HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, HER COLLEGE GRADUATION, NEVER SEE HER GET MARRIED, OR BE ABLE TO SPOIL THEIR GRANDKIDS SHE MAY HAVE HAD IF SHE LIVED. WHAT IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT. THE PARENTS ARE HURTING BAD ENOUGH WITH OUT PEOPLE HURTING THEM MORE BY THE MEAN AND HURTFUL THINGS YOU HAVE SAID. GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY AND GIVE THEM STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH STUPIDITY!

Love Thy Neighbor Lost too many from cancer...some died in a quarter of the time given, some died weeks after finding out. I could see a child leaving little love notes to parents. Since coming home from Iraq I've been bombarded by cold hearted people. You people should find so much shame flaring above your brow. Love, Peace and Goodness are all around...read the Bible and then cast the first stone....

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33505113/ns/today-today_books/

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/story?id=6494966&page=1&page=1

People take the time to find it in your heart to see that this story is a positive one in with all the sadness in it.
The monies earned in this is given to Charity in hopes that other parents may someday be spared of this tragic sadness.

Karma is for lack of better choice of words is bullshit and has nothing to do with ones opinion if that were the case none of us would be alive cause we all have said stuff to the bad side at one time or another so read a Bible and read about Karma you will see it is of the early to late helladic Period in the Worlds history. Next thing you will pour water over head stones to keep evil spirits away just as the budist do. Karma is very much apart of the pagans and i just cant go with the Mother earth theory of things.

Very touching story, I send my blessings to the family.

Really? Why so many negative comments? I will actually not complain about it because I will have to pray for your souls and hope that this doesnt happen to you disgraceful people. And for the wonderful comments, very beautiful.