Families

One-Year-Old Jenna’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
June 11, 2013

Jenna-and-Jennifer-Watkins

Jenna was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, when she was 1 year old. Photo by Flashes of Hope.

by Jennifer Watkins

Our lives were forever changed on December 2, 2010, when our 13-month-old daughter, Jenna, was diagnosed with stage IV high risk neuroblastoma.

The first few days of being in the hospital were grueling as the medical staff ran multiple scans and tests, trying to determine what type of cancer Jenna had. Honestly, those days are all a blur for my husband and me. James had just returned safely from his military deployment to Iraq, and now all we could do was wait as our baby girl geared up for her own battle here at home.

But once we received the official diagnoses and a treatment plan was in place, fight mode kicked in. We were ready to start kicking cancer’s butt!

Jenna went through six rounds of chemotherapy, followed by surgery, a stem cell transplant, radiation, and then antibody therapy. At 1 year old, Jenna was so young that she didn’t know any different than being in the hospital or being poked and pulled on. She really grew to love everyone at the hospital and would sometimes even cry to go back! It was a blessing that she handled her treatments so well.

Jenna-during-cancer-treatment-at-hospital

Jenna during treatment for childhood cancer.

Jenna was very sick throughout treatment. Even between treatments, she spent most of her days as an inpatient because her little body had a hard time fighting everything. Still, she remained the happiest girl and loved all her friends she had made at the hospital. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my little fighter.

Childhood cancer made a life-changing impact on our family of five, and it also affected our extended family and friends in big ways. Before Jenna’s diagnosis, pediatric cancer was not a thought in our minds. We didn’t know any kids with cancer, and we had never even heard of neuroblastoma. We had to do a lot of researching ourselves during those first days and weeks on exactly what we were battling against.

It was about this time that we learned about a childhood cancer foundation called St. Baldrick’s. My husband’s good friend and colleague, Kevin Hatcher, organized an event in Jenna’s honor. It warmed our hearts to know that we were doing something to help fight childhood cancer. Jenna’s daddy was the first one to shave his head that day, and they ended up raising over $14,000 for pediatric oncology research.

Jenna-3-years-old-and-cancer-free

Jenna, now 3, is celebrating one year cancer free!

Today, Jenna is here with us celebrating ONE YEAR CANCER FREE! Our journey has not been easy. It was a long and hard 15 months, but we are so thankful and blessed that Jenna beat this horrible disease.

We are very thankful for St. Baldrick’s funding of research and ever-advancing treatments made towards all pediatric cancers. This year, James headed up our third St. Baldrick’s event to raise money for childhood cancer research. The event is also an occasion to honor of our friend, Kevin, who introduced us to St. Baldrick’s and, sadly, passed away last year. We will always remember Kevin’s kindness to our family, and the way he touched our lives and the lives of so many others.

In the time since Jenna’s diagnosis, it has become my passion and personal goal to help spread awareness for pediatric cancer, specifically neuroblastoma. I encourage moms and dads to be in tune with their children and their bodies. When you have that gut check feeling that something isn’t quite right, go with your instincts and pursue further avenues with your child’s pediatrician. No one knows your child better than you do.

Support Jenna’s event, and help find cures for all kids with cancer. Donate now.

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