Garden City support group with Chris Cuomo 6:15 am might seem a bit early for cheering and celebration but not for the group of Garden City women who arrived at ABC Studios on May 4, 2007 to celebrate Irene Norniella's first year anniversary NED-No Evidence Detected-from Kidney Cancer.

A year ago, Irene went to the doctor for a persistent cough and shortness of breath never thinking it was anything more serious than an upper respiratory infection. More commonly, lower back pain or blood in the urine might have signaled the doctor's to look for something going on in the kidneys. Luckily, a physical examination determined that Irene's spleen was swollen; this led to a CAT scan which revealed the presence of a large tumor in her left kidney. Surgery to remove the left kidney and tumor followed.

It was a frightening time, but the Norniellas were buoyed by the Garden City community-meals prepared by neighbors, visits from the Fire Department, where Irene's husband, Corsi, volunteers, and prayers and good wishes from the St. Anne's prayer community.

Garden City friends posing in GMA studio after the show A year later, these same families and friends found themselves celebrating Irene's first anniversary NED-No Evidence Detected-on Good Morning America before a national TV audience--who they hoped were listening to the good news about surviving kidney cancer and how important research is. Irene and a group of 27 other women-sisters, nieces, friends, and neighbors-those who prayed and cooked and visited during those anxious days in the hospital and recuperating afterwards---arrived at the ABC Studios at to celebrate Irene's anniversary and to promote support for the National Kidney Cancer Association.

The green T-shirt clad group held up signs providing fast facts about kidney cancer and a huge banner from the National Kidney Cancer Association where each of us had written our prayers and wishes for Irene's continued good health. Their enthusiasm was boundless-they recruited several members of a senior class trip from Kentucky and three Gator fans from Clearwater, Florida to help distribute green hope pins and bracelets from the NKCA. Hopefully, their good cheer and gusto, especially so early in the morning, was transmitted from Coast to Coast. They had a lot to celebrate.

Irene Norniella, survivor and her best friend Nancy Campbell A tour of the studio followed and photo shoots with Chris Cuomo. By breakfast, everyone was ready for waffles and pancakes and an afternoon nap.

Irene continues to celebrate every day of her good health and encourages others to find out the facts about kidney cancer, www.kidneycancer.org. Kidney cancer is one of the few cancers with an increased rate of growth in the United States.

Marybeth Zeman, Irene Norniella, Monica Noriella, Meg McCormick and Patricia McCormic