Published: April 04, 2008 10:12 am      

Meghan heads foundation to help others battle cancer

Chloe Newman Fundraiser Saturday at Silver Street Elementary

At 22 years old, Meghan Steinberg, of Louisville, was going to Indiana University in Bloomington and was like many other college students.

She was struggling to decide what to major in and do for a career.

She was a little stressed and one day she noticed what looked like a breakout on her nose.

Two days later her entire face was swollen.

“I knew something was not right,” Steinberg said.

Sure enough, doctors ran a test checking her blood count and she learned then that she had leukemia.

“I felt like I had the wind knocked out of my stomach. You never think it’s going to happen to you,” she said. “I was having the time of my life in college and all of a sudden I had to drop everything to fight for my life.”

A bone marrow transplant from her brother soon after the diagnosis allowed Steinberg to go into remission just months later.

Now, at 25, Steinberg knows what she wants to do. She wants to help others conquer cancer.

She is majoring in social work at the University of Louisville and has started her own foundation, Meghan’s Mountain. The group’s motto is “When it comes to cancer, no child or adult should have to climb their mountain alone. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

“I wish I could have had the help and guidance from someone my age who had beat it when I was going through treatment,” Steinberg said.

Through her foundation, she has worked with many of those fighting the same battle in this area, including Jonnae Taylor, from Sellersburg, who is in remission, and Chloe Newman, from New Albany, who is fighting her third round with leukemia.

“She’s been a good support,” Christy Newman, Chloe’s mom, said. “It’s been a way to put a survivor’s face to Chloe to see that it’s possible.”

Chloe received a bone marrow transplant from a stranger in February. Already, it has fully engrafted, meaning it is making new cells. Christy said this is a huge feat and hopes this is a sign she is on her way to beating leukemia for good.

Christy said any time she mention’s Meghan’s name, Chloe, who is pretty sick and down right now, lights up.

Tomorrow, Christy and Meghan will join together for the Chloe Newman Fundraiser Yard Sale and Carnival. Chloe’s first-grade teacher, Linda Lyons, decided to put this together with the help of staff members at Silver Street Elementary as well as those in the community to benefit the Newman family.

Christy said the support of those at Silver Street as well as Meghan is what is helping her and her family get through this trying time.

“We’re just using the motto third times a charm,” Christy said. “You just have to get through each day, day by day.”



ABOUT MEGHAN’S MOUNTAIN

• Started in January 2007.

• Two people work for it, Meghan and her dad Jerry Steinberg.

• So far, the foundation has raised more than $37,000.

• The goal of the foundation is to use the money that is raised to directly help patients.

• The next fundraiser is June 14 at the home of former U of L coach Denny Crum. There will be live and silent auctions. Autographed basketballs are also available. For tickets, contact Meghan’s Mountain.

• Contact: www.meghansmountain.com or call 502-228-7200.



SO YOU KNOW

• WHAT: Chloe Newman Fundraiser Yard Sale and Carnival

• WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday

• WHERE: Silver Street Elementary School cafeteria and gym

• DETAILS: There will be carnival games with prizes and items for sale with all proceeds going to the Newman family. There will also be a blood drive.



Follow Chloe’s journey:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/chloenewman