Sara Kate Burke, 5, a brave little fighter

THE LITTLE girl put up a great fight.

Her 10-month battle against brain cancer inspired everyone who came in contact with her, brought a community together and stands as a testament to human courage and perseverance in the face of tragedy.

But 5-year-old Sara Kate Burke, the daughter of Jennifer and Kevin Burke, of Meadowbrook, lost the struggle. She died Monday, but she left behind a legacy of hope and love that affected hundreds of supporters over the long months of her hospitalization.

On Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Sara and her family were surprised when more than 100 members of "Team Sara," as her supporters called themselves, gathered beneath her window at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to show their support.

Friends and family lined the steps of the hospital's atrium to wave banners, posters and pom-poms. And in her name, they donated toys and food to other young patients.

Thousands read the daily reports of her treatment on her Carepage Web site. It included daily postings by Jennifer, a message board and photo gallery.

"The response to Carepage was, and continues to be, overwhelming as thousands of messages are posted," her mother said. "Her strength, passion and charisma inspired thousands to join her battle."

Multiple blood drives were held, and some supporters opened lemonade stands to raise funds for Sara, inspired by the example of Alexandra Scott, the Wynnewood girl who started Alex's Lemonade Stand on her front lawn to raise funds for childhood cancer research before dying of cancer in 2004 at age 8.

All the support that Sara received amazed and comforted her parents.

"There were tons of warriors battling with us. It gave us strength," Jennifer said.

She said the Web site was a salvation for her. "Every night I would dump it all out, and the next morning, reading the responses was like my morning vitamin pill. I would read them to Sara and show her the photos that people posted. It really took on a life of its own. It was very therapeutic for me."

Sara's school, Adath Jeshurun, in Elkins Park, where she was a pre-schooler, included her in activities as if she were there."The school was amazing, the parents, teachers and the children were unbelievable. Sara felt part of everything," Jennifer said.

Sara was aware of all the procedures used in her treatment. "She understood everything," her mother said. "She was not a complainer. I took my cues from her. She was a little fighter. I don't think she realized what a fighter she was.

"I'm the kind of person who sees the glass as half-full," her mother added. "It was a situation that I wouldn't wish on anyone, but a lot of good has come out of it. It pulled the community together. Everyone wanted to help. Sara had a profound effect on everyone who knew her. She inspired others to be better people based on her example and experiences."

A foundation is being set up through the Philadelphia Foundation for cancer research. It is called Sara's Smiles, and Jennifer Burke will concentrate on making it work.

Sara also is survived by a brother, Lucas Jeremy; a sister, Rebecca Grace; her grandparents, Neile and Arthur Davis, Robert and Leslie Kogen, Sandra Burke and Robert Burke, and her great-grandmother, Florence Kogen.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. today at Old York Road Temple Beth Am, 971 Old York Rd., Abington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Philadelphia Foundation the Power of Endless Possibilities, c/o Sara's Smiles, 1234 Market St., Suite 1800, Philadelphia PA 19107. *