Meet the 2023 St. Baldrick’s Ambassadors!
St. Baldrick’s Ambassadors represent the wide diversity of kids diagnosed with childhood cancers. Their stories highlight the importance of supporting the best childhood cancer research so all kids diagnosed can live long, healthy, productive and happy lives.
What a Difference a Year Makes
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
2022 Ambassador: Meet Rocco – A 5-Year-Old Full of Love, Kindness, and Faith
His parents told him his blood was sick when he was diagnosed with cancer. Rocco said he was sad, but he wanted to get better so he could donate his blood to help other people. This unselfish kindness and compassion are rare qualities in a five-year-old. But this is Rocco.
Our family was an ordinary family before childhood cancer.
This was written by Hudson’s mom, Jessica McKearney.
I work as a Nurse Practitioner and Kyle works as a Project Manager. We live in a small town in Northeast Iowa. Before March 2019, Hudson was an energetic, Mickey Mouse and car loving toddler. He was spirited, happy, loved to dance and kept us on our toes. In November 2018, Hudson became a big brother to his sister Violet. Two under two was exciting and exhausting. Hudson was caring, empathetic, and always wanted to be with Violet. They had an incredible bond, and we were grateful to have two happy and healthy toddlers.
What Is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the white blood cells that normally fight infection. The cells do not grow and develop properly, filling up the bone marrow inside bones, where blood is normally made.
ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer, accounting for 35% of all cancers in children. Each year, there are about 2,900 new cases of children and adolescents diagnosed with ALL in the United States alone.
See how Phineas survived ALL because of research supported by St. Baldrick’s >
Its signs and symptoms resemble other common illnesses, which often leads to other treatments before the leukemia diagnosis is made.
KIMMY: CANCER IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
When their daughter Kimmy was diagnosed with leukemia, Daniel and Taimi Hachey were told her disease had a 90% survival rate. Later tests showed Kimmy had Philadelphia chromosome-like precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare type, difficult to treat. The adjusted survival rate? Only 50-60%. Her diagnosis went from, “The cure rate is high,” to “We are very concerned about her outcome.”
Childhood Cancer Action Days 2019: Scott and Nancy Head to Washington
The Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days in Washington, D.C., is an opportunity for members of the childhood cancer community – from kids and their families to health care professionals and volunteers – to advocate for childhood cancer issues before Congress.
St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid, Scott, a 10-year-old whose cancer is in remission, attended Action Days with his mom Nancy and has provided us with the following report on his experiences in Washington.
Scott (left) attended Childhood Cancer Action Days in Washington, D.C., in late March.
National Volunteer Week: Meet Jessica and Dr. Schultz
As we wrap up National Volunteer Week, today we’ll meet two more volunteers with very different stories: one is the mom of a child diagnosed with cancer; the other, a researcher who’s devoted her career to early detection of childhood cancers.
Both will show us that it doesn’t matter how you get involved – just that your involvement is crucial to the work of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Jessica’s daughter, Mya, and friend Brendan are the faces of “Two Tiny Heroes”. Protecting Kids’ Hearts While Fighting Their Cancer
It’s Valentine’s Day and that means exchanging cards, chocolates, teddy bears, and flowers with loved ones. The prevailing symbol of Valentine’s Day is the heart – which makes sense, given that the day is all about showing love and affection.
Because the heart is so central to Valentine’s Day, it’s a useful time to reflect on how childhood cancers impact this vital organ. Unfortunately, childhood cancers affect far more than the parts of the body in which they emerge – brain cancer doesn’t just harm the brain; leukemia doesn’t just affect the blood; and bone cancers often spread to the major organs.
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