What I Think of When I Hear the Word ‘Cancer’
Cierra Walsh was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right femur on March 19, 2014. She went through nine months of chemotherapy and four surgeries on her leg. Now, the 15-year-old has a strong voice for kids with cancer — read what she has to say about it.
Cierra, surrounded by her friends, poses with her newly shaved head.
People often say that the three most important words in the English language are “I love you.”
But my life experience suggests something different. The three most important words to me are “you have cancer.”
Everything in my life has been changed by those three simple words.
Third Time’s the Charm: Sarah Gets Ready to Go Bald Again
It’s been over three years since 2012 Ambassador Sarah has seen herself bald. She’s breaking that streak on Saturday to be a shavee℠ for the third time. As a childhood cancer survivor, Sarah writes about what bravery looks like to her and what makes shaving so special this time.
Sarah (left) smiles with Honored Kid Abby at Camp Fantastic in 2015.
I’m often asked if I’m nervous about my upcoming shave.
I can honestly say I’m not at all. After all, this will be my third time shaving my head for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation!
The usual response I get is, “You’re so brave.” But I don’t see myself as the brave one.
In Sickness and in Health: Sarah and Patrick’s Love Story
2012 Ambassador Sarah and her fiancé, Patrick, have been through a lot in their seven years together. Read how they conquered Sarah’s childhood cancer together and the love that endured through it all.
Sarah and Patrick smile with their dog, Oswald.
“It was like our eyes locked and the world sort of shifted.”
That’s how Sarah recalls the day she met her fiancé, Patrick, 10 years ago.
From Clinic Visits to College Visits: Aaron’s Mom Looks Back on 2015
Last month, Ambassador Aaron finished his first semester at college and came home for a clinic visit to make sure he was still in remission. His mom, Dana, shares their good news and her hopes for 2016.
Aaron with his parents, Dana and Greg.
How St. Baldrick’s Helped Me Get Through Childhood Cancer Treatment
Nothing about fighting cancer is easy, and it doesn’t help being a lone adult in the pediatric cancer ward. As a 25-year-old diagnosed with pediatric osteosarcoma, Mina Schultz found herself sinking into depression with no end in sight — until she went to a St. Baldrick’s event. Mina shares her story.
Mina, left, smiles with a friend. She is now four years post-treatment for osteosarcoma.
Cancer to College: A New Chapter Begins for Aaron
Two and a half years ago, Ambassador Aaron was just finishing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He’s still in remission, and this week he’s starting his freshman year of college over 300 miles away from home. He shares this quick update.
Aaron stands with his family at his high school graduation ceremony.
Ambassador Lauren Heads to Capitol Hill for Childhood Cancer Action Days
Today, 2014 Ambassador Lauren is among more than 300 childhood cancer advocates in Washington, D.C., fighting to make childhood cancer a national priority. Here’s what she wants Congress to know.
As I prepare to speak on Capitol Hill for Childhood Cancer Action Days, I can’t help but look back on my grueling journey with pediatric cancer.
Remembering Asaph ‘Ace’ Schwapp: A Big Man With a Bigger Heart
When Asaph Schwapp — known to many as “Ace” — passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his friend and Notre Dame football teammate vowed to do something big to honor him. And so the Tough as Ace Hero Fund was born. Learn more about St. Baldrick’s Hero Funds.
Ace’s friends competed in a triathlon to raise money for childhood cancer research in honor of Ace. Their jerseys bear Ace’s football jersey number.
How I Learned to Call Myself a Childhood Cancer Survivor
Dave was diagnosed with childhood cancer when he was 13. Six years later, he’s shaving to help find a cure for all kids’ cancers. Join Dave — be a shavee℠!
After surviving childhood cancer, Dave got involved in breakdancing. “With each activity I pursued, I reveled in feeling less like a cancer patient and more like an average kid,” he said.
‘One Step Closer’: Emily Survives Cancer and Shaves for a Cure
After trying everything to cure her cancer, Emily was given three months to live. Then something amazing happened — her cancer went away. Read Emily’s survival story and learn why she shaves her head to raise money for childhood cancer research. (You can be a shavee℠, too!)
Emily with two of her nurses in 2008.
At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with late-stage osteosarcoma of the spine and ribs. As is typical with bone cancers, I had been having pain for a couple of months. But it wasn’t until I injured my knee rollerskating and went completely paralyzed from the waist down that doctors found a grapefruit-sized tumor that had grown into four ribs, around my spine, and into my lungs.
They found it with a simple x-ray.
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