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His life changed
After spending five days in the hospital before Tess's first birthday, Kevin Kandalaft, Tess's father, thought his only worries would be getting over Tess's bout with pneumonia/RSV. The pediatrician who discharged Tess noticed Tess's wandering eye and thought there might be something more to investigate. Upon his recommendation, Kevin went to a pediatric ophthalmologist and within moments the doctor advised that Tess had a growth in her eye and her retina was detached.
"I knew my life changed forever," Kandalaft said. The family went to Los Angeles and met Dr. Linn Murphree, a nationally recognized expert in retinoblastoma, and Nancy Mansfield, Executive Director of the Institute for Families.
Doctors removed Tess's left eye. However, with ongoing monitoring of the seed tumor in her right eye, her prognosis remains positive.
"During the trip to LA I witnessed and benefited firsthand from the work of Institute for Families. As I learned of their budget challenges I knew that I had found my call - my chance to make a difference in the lives of others," Kandalaft said.
Where are they now?
Tess is now a cancer-free young girl. While she has already experienced more medical care than many get in their entire lifetime she is as happy and joyful as one can imagine a little girl could be. She loves school and being outside with her big sister, Alex.
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