By Casey LeAnne Mers, Age 9

When I was a little girl I didn't understand the meaning of a funeral, or the meaning of being in a hospital either. But then one day I understood it. When she went into the hospital.

You're asking who she is: it's my Mom. Yes, Shannon LeAnne (Casey) Mers. I'll tell my story of how or when it happened (in the Kobacker Hospice house).

One day I was at my Grandma and Papa Mers' house because my Dad was visiting my Mom. My cousin Emily was there. And her Grandma Paula was there too. We had to go to their hotel. We were on our way back from their hotel.

I said, "The sun is very, very bright."

And then when we got home Emily wanted to throw rocks in the water with her Nonni Paula. So they went. And I was outside in the front yard of my Grandma and Papa's house. And my Dad pulled up in the driveway.

I said, "Hi, Daddy, how is Mommy?"

And he said, "Sweetie, your Mommy is an angel now, she is in heaven."

I said, "Oh."

So we went down to the pond. And I whispered in Emily's ear, "Your Aunt Shannon is in heaven." And she just looked at me. And then she kept throwing rocks in the water.

My Mom died of osteosarcoma, a kind of disease and a kind of cancer that kids and adults have died from.

And by donating money to osteosarcoma research you and everybody else will be proud for what you did. So donate money to osteosarcoma research. And make a difference in a kids or adults life. Just know that God's blessing is upon you. Thank you.