Emma’s Memory was founded both to honor our daughter Emma’s life and to join together to help cure pediatric brain tumors. Research for pediatric cancers, and pediatric brain tumors specifically, remains highly underfunded and under-recognized by the medical community. Doctors rely heavily on philanthropic efforts to fund their research.

​Our mission is to help find a cure for pediatric brain tumors so families can hug their children for years to come. We hope you will join us in raising awareness and funds towards our goal.

About us

Our daughter Emma was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) in April of 2017, at nearly 4 months old. Emma underwent three brain surgeries, a tracheostomy, three stem cell transplants with high dose chemotherapy, and countless tests and procedures. We all spent the majority of 10 months in and out of the hospital. Emma smiled through the worst of the worst and reminded us all to do the same. She left us on February 2, 2018, leaving behind a rare gift. She was able to donate her tumor to the doctors, untouched by the harmful side effects of radiation, so they can continue their research as they work towards a cure.
​
We developed Emma’s Memory to surround her in this fight against pediatric brain tumors. At some point, Emma became surrounded by the imagery of elephants. No one really knows why or how. But, like an elephant, Emma went through the toughest of times with strength, grace and beauty. An elephant is always surrounded by her memory, or her herd, to support her in all endeavors.

We originally set out to raise $300,000 and have a window seat dedicated in Emma's name on the new wing of the oncology floor at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The floor where we spent the majority of Emma's short life. The place where we introduced her to views of the city she called home. The space where we found respite from the spiraling world around us.

In 2019, we reached our goal and the Emma Finke Window Seat was dedicated on May 7th. We hope this seat provides comfort to patients and families during the hardest of times, while offering a stunning view of both the city of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Childhood cancer research remains grossly underfunded so we will not stop until we have found a cure. Our new goal is $500,000 to go directly to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Lurie Children's for research and clinical trials. We were surrounded by the incredibly talented team at Lurie Children’s and given access to cutting edge treatment opportunities. We want these opportunities to be afforded to those that come behind us.
​
The mission of Emma’s Memory is to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors, so families can hug their children for years to come.

​~Sadie & Kyle Finke