Real-Life Stories

“I wasn’t a childhood cancer parent, until I was. Childhood cancer instantly changes your life and disorients you the second you hear an oncologist say the words ‘Your child has cancer.’ This is a time where you feel your absolute weakest, but you must be your strongest. Navigating the world after diagnosis is uncharted. There is no handbook to life with a child fighting cancer, so I’ve asked 10 childhood cancer moms from around the world what tips they would give to newly diagnosed families and this is what they shared.” – Monica Padilla, founder of The Bad Luck Moms Club

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Ford is a commanding force, in all senses of the word. As a Leo born in August, he truly encompasses all traits of the fierce lion – courageous, fearless, and brave. Not only does he light up a room with his infectious smile, laughter and captivating voice, he draws everyone in like a magnet.

Ford smiling from ear to ear in his lion ears.

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Editor’s Note: As we commemorate National Cancer Survivor Month, we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Knott, whose daughter, Arianna, was one of the five St. Baldrick’s “Ambassadors” for 2019. As you’ll read in her story, survivorship issues in pediatric cancer need attention – and funding – for those like Arianna, whose challenges are many.

Arianna during treatment.

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Mary Stewart Witherspoon, my daughter, was diagnosed with FLT-3 ITD acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in July 2014 when she was 4 years old. She had been running a low-grade fever for about a week with a runny nose. Her appetite was not great, but she was also a busy kid. When my wife said she was going to take her to the doctor, it was really to rule out the flu or just stay ahead of whatever was causing the symptoms.

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Ellie’s son, Chase

The clinic waiting room wall was green. It had always been green, but I hadn’t stared at it like I was staring now. My eyes felt glued to the wall before me and I looked at the bright, grassy color as if I could see through it, absently tracing the silver words marking the direction “hematology and oncology” … “waiting area” … but all the while, I was focused entirely on the voice of the oncologist coming through the phone pressed to my ear, focused on the words that had me feeling frozen in place. 

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Life can be unfair. Curveballs, challenges, and heartaches do not discriminate. Even for the nicest people you know. 

But there’s a popular quote that promises, “rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.” 

Meet Hanna. She has embodied this quote for 29 years, rising above the unfair hand she was dealt to feel the sunshine on her face. 

Meet Hanna (no extra “h” at the end please). 

Hanna

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A year ago, Sage was as excited as any 4-year-old at Christmastime. His family had no idea how much their lives would change just a month later.

Sage opening presents on Christmas Day 2021

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The following speech was a highlight of the March 2022 St. Baldrick’s event at St. Agnes Parish Center in Rockville Centre, NY. With thanks to Greta, we’re sharing it so others can hear her experience and how she feels about St. Baldrick’s, as a childhood cancer survivor.

“Hi! My name is Greta Ohanian and I am currently 6 years out of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Sometimes I struggle with what to say at events like this because there are so many aspects of cancer that I could touch on as a survivor. But one of the worst parts is how frightening it is to go into a cancer diagnosis knowing how limited the treatment is.

Greta during treatment.

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Each survivor’s risk of late effects of cancer treatment depends on their tumor, specific treatments, age, genetic makeup and other factors. Surgeries, chemotherapies, radiation, stem cell transplants and other treatments take a toll on the body – and sometimes the mind – in many ways. Some late effects make life more difficult; others are life-threatening.

Heart and lung problems are common, as are secondary cancers.

Other late effects can include hearing problems, hormonal imbalances, difficulty growing, mental health needs or cognitive deficiencies, bone density issues and easy bone fractures, fertility and reproductive problems, and more.

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By Sir Bodie Centore, Knight of the Bald Table, now age 17

My Buckets for St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, a 3v3 basketball tournament held in Syracuse, NY, raised over $10,000 for childhood cancer research on March 20th. While this event surpassed my fundraising goal, it also had an impact even more significant than anything I had experienced in 10 years of fundraising for St. Baldrick’s.

I became involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation 10 years ago after hearing about the local Syracuse, NY event at Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub & Restaurant from family and friends. I was intrigued, but as a 7-year-old, very nervous about having my head shaved. Earlier that year, I spent several days in the hospital with pneumonia. I didn’t understand cancer much then, I couldn’t even spell it, but I knew I hadn’t enjoyed my time at the hospital and I didn’t think kids should have to go through anything like that.

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