Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

In Memory of Reese Johnson

Obituary for Reese Meadow Johnson

Reese Meadow Johnson, 14, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous two year battle with cancer and leukemia.

A ninth grade student at Ballston Spa High School, Reese enjoyed social networking, SpongeBob, Teen Wolf and Vampire Diaries. She loved to swim in her grandparent’s pool and play with her cat Dakota Rose.

Reese was a loving, caring, compassionate child with a contagious laugh and outgoing personality. She touched everyone she met and brought love and joy to all. She lived life to the fullest in the short time she was given.

Reese is survived by her parents, who were her best friends, Joseph and Shannon Johnson; grandparents Ruthanne and Paul Kilburn, and David Johnson; uncle Shane “Buzz Buzz” Kilburn; aunt Jessica “Jess Jess” Maynard; uncle Heath “Puggy” and aunt Cheryl Johnson; special cousins Nadia Robles and Cassandra Palso; “dog cousin” Mulligan; and her large extended family of cousins, great aunts and great uncles. She was predeceased by her grandmother Sandra Johnson.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, February 25, from 2pm to 6pm at the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church, 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa. A service will follow at 6pm.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Albany Medical Center, Reese’s doctors, nurses and caregivers for the compassion and love given to Reese throughout her illness.

Memorial contributions in memory of Reese may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/qxqq4dy4

Reese Johnson, age 14- Rest In Peace Sweet Princess!

REESE JOHNSON, age 14 was surrounded by her loving family and friends who said their final goodbyes today before bravely taking her rightful place in heaven this evening, just 3 weeks shy of her 15th birthday. Reese, a Warrior Princess during her double cancer battle had touched many, many lives as was witnessed at the hospital today and on her Facebook page- "Courage, Hope & Love for Reese". 

This excerpt taken from Reese's Facebook Page, sums up her families raw pain and understandable hurt at the loss of their beautiful daughter:

"Our beautiful Reese left us tonight at 5 o'clock.... She's no longer in pain. Without a doubt she was the best thing that ever happened to us or anyone. Go with God baby girl we love 'you' and will meet up with you soon."

Reese had waged a courageous battle against two cancer types- Ewing's Sarcoma (malignant tumor of bones) and Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (an uncommon serious second malignant growth of tissue following Chemo treatments). ACCFCB was honored to be counted among Reese's many friends and allies during the last 2 years of her life. We were witness to a family who loved and supported each other through a very difficult and tumultuous time.

It is with a heavy heart that our loss here on earth, is without a doubt heaven's gain! Rest in Peace sweet princess, you will never be forgotten!

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Shocking Second Cancer Diagnosis For Teenage Girl

We Welcome Reese Johnson, age 13 To Our Foundation's Family

Reese, 14 Admitted To Hospital While She Battles Double Cancer Diagnosis

Reese, 14 Admitted To Hospital While She Battles Double Cancer Diagnosis

REESE JOHNSON, age 14 is courageously battling two cancer types- Ewing's Sarcoma (malignant tumor of bones) and Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (an uncommon serious second malignant growth of tissue following Chemo treatments).

"She is a beautiful girl in every way and will turn 15 on March 12, 2016. She is a 9th grader at Ballston Spa Middle School. Before her illness took center stage she was a gymnast and a cheerleader. She enjoys spending time with her friends and shopping on the occasional good days. She loves to watch vampire diaries and teen wolf. She has a cat named Dakota Rose that is the apple of her eye. Even with everything she is going through she stays positive and continues to be her spunky little self all while fighting as hard as she can to get her life back. She is a true inspiration to everyone!"- Shannon Johnson (Mom)  

Reese's Battle Timeline-

• March 18, 2014 diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in her left jawbone and had surgery to remove growth.
• January 26, 2015 with just 4 chemo treatments remaining for the Ewing's, she is diagnosed with secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (1% contracts this rare side effect from chemo).
• She spent 37 days inpatient and goes into remission.
• Less than a month later it's back again, spends 30 more days in the hospital and on 5/8/2015 she's in remission again.
• She went to Strong Memorial Hospital on 5/20/15 for bone marrow transplant- (out of the 20 million bone marrow donors on the list, not one match). She underwent 6 days of heavy chemo then receives umbilical cord transplant.
• She then had 2 surgeries to remove hemorrhagic cystitis (clots in her bladder wall). She was so sick and traumatized, she went from 120lbs to 180lbs because her kidneys were damaged from medication. She finally came home in the beginning of September 2015 after a 3 month stay.
• She then began hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments.
• In the beginning of October, 2015 Reese requested to be admitted due to not eating and feeling tired. She had lost her immune system and spent a month inpatient.
• November 19, 2015 saw the return of her immune system. 
• Her hemorrhagic cystitis came back in December, 2015. 
• She goes to the clinic twice/ week for transfusions of platelets and blood due to this being the last to engraft after the transplant. 
• She is inpatient now, February, 2016 in an attempt to stabilize her low Blood Pressure.

Shocking Second Cancer Diagnosis For Teenage Girl

ACCFCB's Reese Johnson, age 14 from Ballston Spa recently received a Leukemia diagnosis while battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Leukemia is the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes), in the bone marrow crowding out and replacing normal blood and marrow cells. Doctors are currently formulating a plan to battle this second stunning blow.

Reese had previously undergone surgery to have a growth removed from her Jawbone while receiving Chemotherapy treatments. Reese is an upbeat and positive girl who has the love and support of her family, friends and our children's foundation. Our thoughts and prayers continue with Reese and her family.

Above Photo Courtesy of Reese's gofundme Page

We Welcome Reese Johnson, age 13 To Our Foundation's Family

Reese Johnson, age 13 from Ballston Spa underwent surgery in March 2014 to remove a mass from her mouth (Jawbone), after being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma- a rare form of bone cancer. She is undergoing Chemotherapy treatment 5 days a week- every other week for 10 months. Reese is a positive, outgoing person who feels confident that upon completion of her treatments she will be fine! We welcome Reese to our foundations' family and we pray for her speedy and complete recovery.