Childhood Cancer

Meet 2024 Ambassador Camden: A Legacy of Strength, Courage, and Resilience

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
February 1, 2024

Camden smiling from ear to ear, with the road in the background.

Camden and his smile.

#CammersTough is more than just a hashtag. It represents the story of a boy who fought cancer with incredible strength and courage. His story of resilience in the face of continued hardship is what made him an inspiration to others.

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Childhood Cancer

Meet 2024 Ambassador Sam: A Renaissance Man with a Heart for Others

by Sam Macarah
January 23, 2024

cancer warrior Sam playing the cello at home.

Sam playing the cello.

Twenty-year-old Sam is a Renaissance man – an accomplished musician, pilot, and philanthropist. He’s also a three-time shavee, childhood cancer survivor, and 2024 St. Baldrick’s Ambassador who is committed to making a difference in the lives of other kids with cancer.

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Advocacy

Meet 2024 Ambassador Scott: A Childhood Cancer Survivor and Burgeoning Advocate

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 17, 2024

cancer survivor Scott surrounded by the pill bottles he's gone through during treatment

Ambassador Scott and the many pill bottles he went through during treatment.

Scott is a cheerful, hardworking 15-year-old who enjoys football, hanging out with friends, and traveling. His acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosis at age 3 was a complete shock to his family, especially since he seemed healthy and never even had a sick visit to the pediatrician.

Since he was diagnosed as a toddler, he couldn’t fully understand that by the time he finished treatment 3 ½ years later, he would take more than 1,500 pills, have blood transfusions and countless spinal taps, unpleasant nebulized antibiotic treatments for immunosuppression, and spend more than half of his life on chemo.

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Childhood Cancer

Shave for Hope: A Teen’s Inspiring Quest to Conquer Kids’ Cancer

by Billy Edwards
January 14, 2024

College essays can be written about a lot of topics and Billy chose to write it about how seeing his friend go through grief inspired him to want to make a difference for kids with cancer. His essay was written in spring of 2019 and he attended Coastal Carolina University from September 2020 through December 2022, working toward a business degree. He paused his studies at Coastal Carolina University to work towards his Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) Associate credentials, where he provides golf instructions, works with the youth golf clinic, and experiences the business aspect of the golf world. Now, Billy is ready to continue his college coursework and will soon be taking online courses to achieve his degree in business.

Billy (middle) at the 2019 Annual Brave the Shave In Memory of Joey Sudo Event with Tom Suit (left in a short sleeve shirt) and Tom Crawford (right in a long sleeve shirt).

Billy (middle) with the event organizers of the Annual Brave the Shave In Memory of Joey Sudo Event in 2019, Tom Suit (left) and Tom Crawford (right).

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Childhood Cancer

Meet 2024 Ambassador Julianna: A Headstrong Kindergartener with a Beautiful Heart for Others

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 12, 2024

cancer warrior Julianna wearing a 'why be a princess when you can be a pirate' shirt, a tutu, and a headband with a big pink bow

Ambassador Julianna rocking a very cute outfit.

Julianna (a.k.a. Juju) is always on the go. This five-year-old is obsessed with Jack Sparrow, loves swimming, bike riding, dancing, baby dolls, dressing up, playing doctor, school, and church, especially worship music. She expends her energy at dance and cheer camp, and is excited to start gymnastics soon. Above all she cherishes time with her mom and dad, Courtney and Ryan, and big brothers, Hayden and Colbe.

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Childhood Cancer

Meet 2024 Ambassador Aaron: A Huge Fan of Queen, Guitar, Lionel Messi, and Giving Back

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 8, 2024

Aaron smiling from ear to ear with his guitar.

Aaron and his guitar.

Resilient, positive, and determined are a few words that describe 16-year-old Aaron. These traits served him well through his battle with cancer and continue to guide his life today.

When he was 4, Aaron stopped walking. An MRI revealed the cause – a tumor on his spine. His mom, Beth, recalls, “They didn’t wake him up between the MRI and surgery. I remember whispering in his ear that if he made it though, he would get a puppy.” Surgery successfully removed 90% of the tumor. A few days later, his family received the official diagnosis – Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer.

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Childhood Cancer

Meet the 2024 St. Baldrick’s Ambassadors!

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
January 3, 2024

2024 Ambassadors left to right: Aaron holding a guitar wearing a grey shirt, Camden wearing a striped light and dark grey shirt, Julianna with a pink bow on her head wearing a beige sweater, Scott wearing a blue button down, Sam wearing a button down with leaves on it.

St. Baldrick’s Ambassadors represent the more than 400,000 kids worldwide who are diagnosed with cancer each year. Ambassadors come from diverse geographic areas, ages, diseases, and treatment statuses. Their stories highlight the importance of supporting the best childhood cancer research so all kids diagnosed can live long, healthy, productive, and happy lives.

Every child is so much more than a cancer diagnosis. Each has their own unique personality, gifts, and talents. Read on to learn more about these remarkable kids.

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Childhood Cancer

10 Tips for Newly Diagnosed Families, From Childhood Cancer Families

by The Bad Luck Moms Club
December 5, 2023

“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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Families

Meet Ford: A Feisty and Fierce Little Warrior

by St. Baldrick's Foundation
July 27, 2023

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.

Little boy affected by cancer sitting on his porch smiling.

Ford smiling from ear to ear in his lion ears.

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Families

Why We Need Research to Help Pediatric Cancer Survivors

by Katrina Knott
June 19, 2023

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.

Little girl with cancer sitting at the hospital.

Arianna during treatment.

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