Growing up, Aldona Kudirka and her family toured the historic houses and museum and prayed in the Basilica many times. Years later, when her own daughter, Maggie, a 23-year-old accomplished NYC ballet dancer, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she returned to the place of healing she had known as a child.
“With the initial diagnosis, Maggie was given two to three years to live. That was 10 years ago, and she is still here! We go to the Basilica to pray, sometimes visit the museum and gift shop. There have been medical ups and downs and recently Maggie was cleared for treatment with a newly approved drug and has showed some improvement,” Aldona said.
“My devotion goes back many years. When I have had a problem, I have given it to the Shrine.”