Journalist Rene Marsh writes book, raises funds after son passes from pineoblastoma

WASHINGTON (7News) — During the holidays, maybe you’re looking for that perfect gift something that’s meaningful and benefits a good cause.

Rene Marsh, a local journalist and a member of our extended family here at 7News as Anchor Michelle Marsh's sister, wrote a children’s book with a deeply emotional back story, about loss, strength, and hope.

For Rene, their bright, beautiful family room now conjures up the happiest and most painful memories of her beautiful little boy, Blake.

“The way Blake would like it is all of his books would be on the floor and if dared to take them away he’d be like no no, I’m reading that one," said Rene.

Blake loved books, even at just two years old.

He also loved music and dancing his sweet smile and personality brightening every day for his mom.

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"It was the best experience of my life to this day," Rene said. "It was such an honor to be his mom and to experience the love that I felt for him, I’m forever grateful that I even got to feel that.”

Around Christmas 2019, Blake was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, brain tumor, called pineoblastoma. After months of harsh chemotherapy and a harrowing emotional rollercoaster for his family, little Blake passed away in April.

"Every day is not easy and I literally take it moment by moment and it comes from a variety of places."

Little by little, Marsh is now trying to find new routines. She just recently started getting back to work at CNN. But her biggest goal is to put a stop to the suffering for other families.

"I still feel like there is a battle I have to complete on behalf of Blake, and if I give up, then I have not fought for my son to the best of my ability and I’ve waved the white flag and I love him too much to do that," Rene said.

Marsh’s mission is to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer the number one cause of death by disease in children. Brain cancer is the deadliest form of childhood cancer, yet no drug has ever been developed and approved specifically for children with brain tumors.

Just a small fraction of the national cancer institute’s multi-billion dollar budget goes to childhood cancer research.

This brings us back to Blake’s love for reading.

Marsh started writing this book, The Miracle Workers, while Blake was in the hospital.

"I would read to Blake who was on life support, every single day, I didn’t know if he could hear me, but if he could, I wanted him to know that I was close and Mom was still there," she said.

The lyrical story she has written with bright, whimsical drawings is a book of hope, even when facing the greatest odds. It also honors heroes, like the doctors and nurses who helped little Blake.

Marsh often recites this passage in difficult moments: “May helped Blake to see what most people get wrong. A battle is not won by the physically strong. If you want to defeat a beast of this kind, the key to the fight is right there in your mind.”

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All of the proceeds go to the Blake Vince Payne Star Fund -- a pioneering effort, the first of its kind to funnel money directly into research and treatments for the rare brain tumor that Blake battled.

"I recognize that pediatric cancer is a massive mountain," she said. "I also realize I am incapable of moving it on my own, but we all can do what we can do together collectively, hopefully, we can move the mountain."

Moving a mountain while carrying a burden that is inexplicable and unfair. Marsh says as she navigates through the dark days, she’s looking out for bright spots when they shine through.

"Although my situation isn’t the way I want it to be, I’m curious enough and hopeful enough to believe that there’s more to this story and something beautiful will eventually arise again."

The book first came out in November and it sold out in just 72 hours. But luckily, Rene tells 7News they have just restocked and there are more available as of Thursday.

You can order the book here.

So far, she has raised $150,000 for the fund set up in Blake’s name.