Erik Ludwinski
03/19/85 - 02/09/10
6 years old at diagnosis
Park Rapids, MN USA
Boston Children's Hospital (1991-1993), MeritCare Fargo ND (2005), University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital (2005 - 2010), American Family Childerens Hospital of Madison, WI (2007), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA(2009)

Dec 27, 1991
Erik was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma (cancer of the sympathetic nervous system) at 6 years old

He was in remission and very healthy for 13 years.

May 12, 2005
Erik was diagnosed with recurrent Neuroblastoma at 20 years old in bone and marrow

He was in remission for one year.

Nov 10, 2006
Erik relapsed again at 21 years old in bone and marrow.

Erik died Tuesday February 9, 2010 at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital after a valiant battle against the childhood cancer Neuroblastoma.

Erik is survived by his parents Paul and Donna Ludwinski of Park Rapids, his siblings Karl, Lesa, and Aron, his grandparents Hillaire and Louisa Huyge of Laporte MN, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Erik was born March 19, 1985 in Oakland CA and lived with his family in California, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Colorado before moving to Park Rapids in 1998.

A 2003 homeschool graduate from Park Rapids, Erik attended North Dakota State University two years to study engineering, and until recently was at Bemidji State University nearly finishing two degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.

Volunteering as a counselor at camps for children
with cancer, snowboarding, composing music, and creating graphic arts were a few of his passions. He lived generously, spoke humorously, and sympathized deeply with children suffering from cancer. He was characterized by optimism and gratitude.

Loving Jesus above all, and trusting Him to the last,
Erik lived a beautiful life.