Every day children with cancer fight with great strength and courage to survive and be cancer-free. Meet these brave young people and their families as they share their struggles and triumphs of dealing with their illness.
Deanna - Ewing's Sarcoma
Cancer...cannot cripple faith, cannot shatter hope, cannot corrode faith...
Date of diagnosis? November 2003
How old was the child when diagnosed? 10-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Pulaski, Tennessee
Where was the patient treated?Monroe Carell Jr. Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research?There is absolutely no reason at all in this world why childhood cancer research should not be fully funded and a top priority. No child should ever have to spend the best years of their childhood fighting for their life every day. My child was determined to beat her cancer. Against all odds she fought with everything she had for almost four years. Sadly she lost her battle. Life is never the same without your child.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Keep the faith, keep the fight, and never, ever give up! Cancer is so limited, it cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot corrode faith, it cannot destroy peace, it cannot kill true friendship, it cannot suppress memories, it cannot silence courage, it cannot invade ones soul, it cannot conquer the spirit, And it cannot EVER steal eternal LIFE.
Kyle - Wilms Tumor
Have hope. Laugh as much as you can.
Date of diagnosis? February 2007
How old was the child when diagnosed? 6-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?East Bethel, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?University of Minnesota Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research?More research! We don't know why Kyle got this Wilms Tumor - so we have lots of unanswered questions. We of course worry about our one-year-old son, as does Kyle, who often asks, "Will he catch my cancer?"
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Have hope! Laugh as much as you can.
Austin -APML Leukemia
Up until 18 years ago this type of Leukemia was 100% fatal...
Date of diagnosis? August 28, 2008
How old was the child when diagnosed? 2-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Utah
Where was the patient treated?Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? Up until 18 years ago this type of Leukemia was 100% fatal, until eastern medicine mixed with western cancer treatments proved to be a statue in the history of cancer research, thanks to ATRA, among other things a large dose of vitamin A, APML patients have an 80% chance of going into full remission after the first rotation of chemo & ATRA.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?If sharing the story of our brave little guy can help one family dealing with a diagnosis of APML, our mission will be accomplished.
Michael -Retinoblastoma
One minute we had this perfectly healthy baby boy, and the next minute we find out he has cancer.
Date of diagnosis? January 2004
How old was the child when diagnosed? 4-months-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?University of Minnesota Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?We have learned a great deal about life through this process. We have gained a new perspective on what is truly important in our lives and we should make every effort not to take anything for granted.
Lucas - Medulloblastoma
Keep Smiling!
Date of diagnosis? April 2007
How old was the child when diagnosed? 6-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Nova Scotia, Canada
Where was the patient treated?IWK, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research?Without research, Lucas probably wouldn't be here today.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Keep smiling
Trent - Rhabdomyosarcoma
Be strong like my Trent. Have hope, always have hope..
Date of diagnosis? August 2005
How old was the child when diagnosed? 5-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Eagan, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?Minneapolis Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research?I could write 90 pages on the importance of childhood cancer research. The drug companies that sponsor drug trials mainly single out adult cancer since more adults get cancer than children. So where does that leave our kids?
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Be strong like my Trent. Have hope, always have hope.
Sierra - Undifferentiated Metastatic Sarcoma
I know it is a battle, but there is a plan for all of your lives - a special plan.
Date of diagnosis? September 2006
How old was the child when diagnosed? 16-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Monticello, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?University of Minnesota Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research?We need a cure!! Cancer research is so important, we donated part of Sierra's tumor to different hospitals for research. I hope this helps in any way for the next child diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Fight !Fight! Fight!!! It is so hard for everyone involved, but know you are not alone. I know it is a battle but there is a plan for all of your lives, a special plan.
Lexi -Wilms/Rhabdomaytous Nephroblastoma
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Date of diagnosis? June 2006
How old was the child when diagnosed? 17-months-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?St. Michael, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?Minneapolis Children's Hospital and the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? Give, give, give to help with all research needed. With Lexi's second diganois, only 14 kids in the world had this type of cancer. We did not have answers right away due to that fact and I only hope that more reseach can be done to help Lexi and others who may be diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Fight! Fight! Fight!
Peter -Stage IV Neuroblastoma
You are amazing children who have everything to complain about, and yet, you never seem to.
Date of diagnosis? August 2006
How old was the child when diagnosed? 4-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Brainerd, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?University of Minnesota Children's Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? We cannot say enough about the importance of research for childhood cancer. In the case of Neuroblastoma, there is very little funding because there are fewer diagnoses (approx. 650/year) and it is clear when you look at the prognosis for these kids - 20-40% chance of 5-year survival for Stage IV kids. While we never ask "Why our child?", no child, or their siblings, should ever have to live the journey that cancer takes them on.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?Keep fighting! You are amazing children who have everything to complain about, and yet, you never seem to. Play, sing, laugh, dance and have fun!
Jordyn - Stage IV Neuroblastoma
You are all stronger than the battle within!
Date of diagnosis? June 2007
How old was the child when diagnosed? 11-months-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Pipestone, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?Sanford Children's Hospital and the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?If you fall down seven times, stand up eight! You are all stronger than the battle within!
Alma -Hodgkins Lymphoma
Keep fighting! Don't give up!
How old was the child when diagnosed? 10-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Huntington Park, California
Where was the patient treated? Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? I've heard that medicine has gotten better and there is an 80% of cure rate of childhood cancer patients. Before the survival rate was much lower. It's all because of everyone that is researching cures for cancer. So keep up the good work so soon we can have a 100% cancer cure rate.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment? Keep fighting don't give up. my daughter said that she would never give up that she would fight until she got better and she is doing great.
Angel -Clear Cell Sarcoma
Cancer knows no age,sex,race,religion. You never know when this can happen to someone you love.
Date of diagnosis? June 2003
How old was the child when diagnosed? 15-months-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Columbus, Ohio
Where was the patient treated? Children's Hospital Columbus
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? We were told Angel was more than likely born with what she had, so if they had done an ultrasound back then things may have been alot easier for her. If you have the money give it, the time offer it. Cancer knows no age,sex,race,religion. You never know when this can happen to someone you love.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?"God doesn't give us more than we can handle" He knows just how strong we all are even if we don't.
Jackson - Neuroblastoma
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of courage and strength childhood cancer patients have.
Date of diagnosis? June 2006
How old was the child when diagnosed? 5-years-old.
Where is the patient and their family from?Plainview, Minnesota
Where was the patient treated?Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to others regarding the importance of childhood cancer research? I know there are so many organizations to donate to. However, rare childhood cancers like Neuroblatoma get overlooked because it doesn't affect a large group of children. The survival rate for leukemia as risen over the years because of cancer research. I would like to all the childhood cancers have an increase in their survival rates, so no family has to go through this.
Are there any special messages you would like to pass along to children that are currently undergoing cancer treatment?I have met many children going through treatments. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of courage and strength they have. They have extreme determination and love for life.
