More than 100 people "Marching for Molly" for Mt. Prospect girl

A team of more than 100 people will be "Marching for Molly" Sunday night to show support for Molly Kohl, a 10-year-old Mount Prospect girl diagnosed with leukemia in January.

The marchers will take part in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk in Glenview, which will raise money to help fund research to find a cure for the disease, a potentially deadly blood cancer afflicting nearly 1 million Americans.

Kohl, a fifth-grader at St. Emily School in Mount Prospect, underwent several rounds of chemotherapy this year followed by a bone-marrow transplant Sept. 10. Her mother, Kathy, said Molly remains in the University of Chicago Hospital but her doctors say she's doing very well.

"She's always had a very positive attitude about everything. That's been her personality from the beginning," Kathy Kohl said. "That's been very meaningful, because it helps to get you through this type of illness."

Kohl said she's grateful for the support of her friends, family and church community during this difficult year.

Molly, the youngest of Kathy and Pat Kohl's three children, was a healthy child until January, when she had an ear infection and fatigue that just wouldn't go away. After different medicines failed to help, follow-up tests showed she had leukemia.

"It's been difficult. You never think it's going to happen to you ... but we've learned a lot this year," she said.

Anyone interested in joining the group "Marching for Molly" can register on-site Sunday, or donate to the cause at http://pages.lightthenight.org/il/NShore10/MarchingforMolly.