It’s Just Hair: Shaving Again for Kids Like Hannah
Shave your head for kids with cancer. Be a shavee℠.
Gaylene with her daughter, Hannah, at their first St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event.
What started out as two shavees with a few friends, a hairdresser, and a donation table turned out to be one of the biggest philanthropic events our home of Grand Cayman has ever hosted, with the most money raised for charity in a single night.
We did it for kids with cancer. Kids like our Hannah.
What Happened When My Daughter’s Pediatric Oncologist Moved Across the Country
Ambassador Grace’s oncologist was so important to their family that when they learned he was moving 1,800 miles away, they thought about moving with him. Grace’s mom, Rebekah, explains what this change means for them.
Grace and her pediatric oncologist, Dr. Doug Harrison.
She has declared repeatedly that her relationship with Dr. Doug Harrison is one of the few benefits of having been diagnosed with childhood cancer. He is kind and funny and supportive, and he talks directly to her. For my husband, Russell, and me, he is responsive and knowledgeable and willing to work as part of a team to offer her the very best care.
We met him on her first night in the hospital in September 2007. Our trip that morning to the neurologist to discuss Grace’s headaches had fast-tracked us to the ER for a CAT scan, a brain tumor diagnosis, and then upstairs to the ICU for steroids. Doug arrived with social worker Stephanie to introduce himself. I was eager for anyone to tell me what was going on and how to explain it to Grace.
Chase’s Childhood Cancer Story [VIDEO]
Chase was 2 ½ years old when he was diagnosed with ATRT, a rare and deadly pediatric brain tumor. With limited treatment options available, Chase’s family moved forward with what they believed to be the best shot.
Chase’s Latest MRI
After 14 months of fighting an aggressive pediatric brain cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), Chase was in remission. He finished chemo last October and finally had his port removed in June. Then, last month, Chase’s family received some unwelcome news. His mom, Ellie, shares this update.
Chase in the clinic.
But. How that one little word changes the tone. Chase’s attending neuro-oncologist’s voice never wavered as he went on to tell us that for the first time since a January Thursday in 2013, Chase’s MRI is not clear.
There are several small growths in and around the original tumor site.
They were not there three months ago.
SuperGirl Jadyn Faces Cancer for the Fifth Time with a Smile
Jadyn has fought childhood cancer five times in only six years. Now 11 years old and known as the most radiated kid in Canada, Jadyn always finds the bright side in her long battle. You can help kids like Jadyn. Get involved.
SuperGirl Jadyn poses in front of SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
Jadyn Schill has more than earned the nickname “SuperGirl.” She’s beaten the odds again and again for more than half her life.
In 2008, when Jadyn was 5 years old, she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer — an ependymoma brain tumor.
Now 11 years old, she’s fighting the disease for the fifth time, after relapsing nearly every year since 2010. She’s undergone multiple brain surgeries and 123 rounds of radiation. Through all of this, Jadyn’s outlook on life is steadfastly sunny. In fact, when things get tough, she has a certain phrase that she tells her mother, Christie.
“Don’t worry Mummy,” she says. “There’s always a bright side. We just have to look for the bright side.”
Childhood Cancer, I Will Fight to End You: A Poem for Finn
Megan is shaving her head in honor of her son, Finn, at the fifth annual 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave this weekend. Join Megan — be a shavee℠!
Finn was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 5.
You stole precious time away from Finn’s childhood, when he was just starting kindergarten, but he is here to gain it back.
You took half of my sweet Finn’s smile, but not his kind spirit. His smile is so big it shines through.
You kept me from hearing his voice for two months, but he fought to speak again.
You took his ability to walk for over a year, but Finn fought to run as a child should.
‘Together We Are Better’: St. Baldrick’s and McKenna Claire Foundation Fund Pediatric Brain Tumor Research
The McKenna Claire Foundation is supporting a St. Baldrick’s research grant to help kids with brain tumors. Kristine, whose daughter McKenna died of a brain tumor, explains why. See all the 2014 Summer Grants.
Kristine with her daughter McKenna. McKenna was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January 2011 and died six months later.
Upon diagnosis, we were told that there was no hope for her survival and that the average life expectancy was 9-18 months. Because it is so rare, there had been little research done on this disease in the past 50 years, with virtually no change in treatment protocols or life expectancy.
For that reason, when we lost McKenna just six short months after diagnosis, we decided to do two things.
The first was to donate her tumor to Monje Lab at Stanford University, where a cell line was developed for use by researchers around the world. The second was to start a foundation in her name with the specific purpose of supporting progress in the field of pediatric brain cancer research.
Ty Louis Campbell Foundation Gives New Hope to Children With Brain Tumors
The Ty Louis Campbell (TLC) Foundation is joining St. Baldrick’s to fund pediatric brain tumor immunotherapy research. Cindy, co-founder of the TLC Foundation, shares why this partnership is giving them renewed hope.
Cindy and Lou Campbell founded the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation after their 5-year-old son, Ty, died of a brain tumor.
Hope fueled my passion and gave me the strength to care for my son during his childhood cancer treatment without coming undone at the seams. Without hope, I would have grieved his loss for over a year before he actually took his last breath.
And, without the hope for a cure that I continue to strive for 21 months after his loss, I don’t know that I would find the will to get out of bed at the dawn of every new day I face without him.
Like every parent who hears the words, “Your child has cancer,” I hit the Internet the second I learned of his diagnosis, a rare pediatric brain tumor called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). I had such tremendous hope that my Ty would be one of the 20% that survived the devastating diagnosis over five years, and that he would be one of the 10% that didn’t relapse. We nicknamed him SuperTy with certainty that his super strength would prevail.
Donna’s Good Things: Acorns, T-shirts, and a Lasting Legacy
Shop clothing and accessories featuring Donna’s artwork on Paper Clouds Apparel now through Sunday. Your purchase will honor Donna’s legacy and help fund children’s cancer research.
I remember thinking, “What are the chances of that?” followed by, “What do acorns symbolize?”
All the Years Stolen by Childhood Cancer
Rebecca Meyer loved princesses, her sister and brother, and the color purple. She died of a brain tumor on June 7, just hours after turning 6. Her father, Eric, shares his thoughts in the days following her passing.
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