Support Needed as Watertown Family Fights Rare Cancer for Young Daughter
- Steve Jurrens
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A family with roots in Watertown needs the community’s prayers and support as their six-year-old daughter begins an aggressive battle against a rare form of cancer.
Michael and Emily Koska (formerly Woodruff), both Watertown natives who now reside in Fargo, received the life-changing diagnosis for their daughter, Miriam, late last month.
After weeks of symptoms initially dismissed as viral infections or growing pains—including fevers, leg pain, and fatigue—doctors discovered a mass on Miriam’s adrenal gland on October 29. Further testing confirmed the diagnosis as Nodular Ganglioneuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the nerve tissues.
The cancer has metastasized, spreading to Miriam’s bone marrow, skull, and spine, where it has caused compression fractures. Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, the six-year-old has been placed on a high-risk treatment protocol expected to last 15 to 18 months.
The treatment plan includes chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplants, and immunotherapy. Miriam recently completed her first round of chemotherapy at Sanford Hospital, and the family anticipates spending more than 100 nights inpatient over the next year, including extended stays at the University of Minnesota.
The diagnosis comes at a particularly challenging time for the family. Emily Koska is currently 25 weeks pregnant with the couple’s third child, due in late February.
"Living in a hospital because your child is sick is a nightmare no parent should ever have to experience," Emily wrote in a recent update. "It is taking a toll on me physically, but it is nothing compared to what she is enduring."
To support the family with mounting medical and travel expenses, a fundraising page has been established through Lend A Hand Up.
Unlike many other crowdfunding platforms that deduct percentage fees from donations, 100% of the proceeds raised through Lend A Hand Up go directly to the Koska family.
· To Donate: Visit the Miriam Koska Fundraiser Here
· Follow Updates: Visit Miriam’s CaringBridge Site
The family has expressed deep gratitude for the support they have already received from friends, family, and strangers. "The kindness of friends and complete strangers toward our girl reminds me that there is still so much goodness in this world, even in the middle of this awful season," Emily stated.
