Victim of Aggressive Cancer Seeks Help

Friends and family of a Simpsonville native battling an aggressive form of cancer are holding a fundraiser tonight at the Pizza Inn on Woodruff Road.

Payton Dowling, 18, was diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma in January, her mother, Susan, says on the family's "Fight Like Payton" Facebook page. 

"The best way to explain the disease is a lymphoma that mimics an acute leukemia," she writes. "The cancer is very aggressive but responds well to treatment. It’s expected to be a 3 year battle of treatment."

Payton, who graduated last year from Hillcrest High, was in her first semester at College of Charleston when the illness struck in November 2012.

"I can explain the events that took place throughout her life, & can tell you every detail of what has transpired since she became ill in Nov. 2012," her mother writes. "I can tell you about her long black hair & how it shines, I can tell you about the sparkles in her eyes & what makes her cry & what makes her laugh, & what she loves to eat, her favorite color, & all about her passion for animals & life, I can tell you all about her friends, & about her most embarrassing moment — but I can’t tell you about the fear & the pain that is running through my heart and soul right now."

Those wanting to help the family with the crippling costs of fighting cancer are urged to attend tonight's fundraiser. All tips received from 4:30 p.m. until close will be donated to the TD Bank Fund for Payton Dowling. The Pizza Inn is located at 2001 Woodruff Road.