What I Wish You Would Ask Your Elected Officials
This week, the childhood cancer community is joining together and sending a message to Congress — Step Up: More Funding for Childhood Cancer Research. Add your voice and tweet your members of Congress through SoundOff.
Susan and her son, David.
One of the greatest joys of parenting is watching your child develop and master new things. From stacking blocks, learning colors, and beginning to read, to driving a car and casting their first vote — each milestone is a celebration.
Election days were awesome in the Heard house. There was spirited conversation and a sense of citizenship as we walked to the booth down the block. We would discuss the candidates with our kids and educate them on our values and voting choices. By age 7, our son, David, was well-versed in many issues, and when he came to the voting booth he pressed the buttons and voted for me.
And then cancer came into our lives when David was 8. Voting was one of many normal activities that was put on hold.
My Reality as a Father of a Child with Neuroblastoma
Jeff’s younger son, 3-year-old Micah, is fighting childhood cancer for the third time. There is no known cure for Micah’s cancer, so Jeff is raising money for children’s cancer research with the hope of finding one. Donate on his page.
Jeff and Micah after Jeff shaved his head for St. Baldrick’s.
There are, of course, the occasional moments during which it’s just the opposite, where time seems to stand still: a first step, questions that are insightful or hilarious (or both), the first day of school, a first time riding a bike with no training wheels.
Or when a doctor tells you that your child has a tumor.
That kind of moment not only stops time, but also forever changes your life. It’s not the kind of moment any of us expect when we become parents. But it’s a moment that my wife and I will forever share.
A Mother-Daughter Bond Transformed by Childhood Cancer
Help cure childhood cancer. Fund research.
Sharing the bond of mother and daughter is beyond words. Ours was forming even before her birth. From the first of her movements in utero, I had dreams for her future and our life together.
My First St. Baldrick’s Event as an Ambassador
Help cure childhood cancer. Get involved.
Lauren, 16, is one of five 2014 St. Baldrick’s Foundation Ambassadors.
Back in June of 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a type of cancer in children. I can recall the thoughts that went through my mind about losing my hair. I was 14 at the time and my appearance was one of my top priorities.
But I quickly realized that my health was much more important than my looks. I had no choice but to advance through chemotherapy and radiation, resulting in my hair falling out.
On the other hand, the high school students at Olympic Heights — both males and females — made the decision to lose their hair. These students did not care what rude remarks strangers would make. They felt a strong desire to assist other innocent children, even though they may not have been impacted firsthand by cancer.
Forever Our Ninja [VIDEO]
With the heaviest of hearts, we are saddened to share that Justin Miller passed away on January 21 surrounded lovingly by his family and friends.
Sending you Legos to heaven, buddy. Now and forever.
For those who would like to make a donation in Justin’s memory, please consider Justin’s St. Baldrick’s team.
Justin On Our Minds
Justin, 10, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 3 years old and has fought cancer seven times.
Read Justin’s CaringBridge journal for the latest updates.
Meet Lauren
Lauren is a 16-year-old honor student who loves to shop, dance, and play the viola. She has always had a passion for travel and for giving back to her community, and she spent the summer before her freshman year of high school touring Europe and volunteering at a local church summer camp. The following summer was quite different: Lauren was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in June 2012 when she was 14 years old.
Anything for One More Baseball Game: Remembering Cole
Cole, second from right, with his family in the Boston Red Sox dugout. Cole lost his 19-month battle with cancer at age 5.
Cole loved to play all sports, but baseball was his favorite game. We would play in the backyard all the time; when the weather was bad we would play inside using a beach ball and his arm as the bat.
How I miss playing baseball with my buddy.
Caught in the Middle: A Parent’s Perspective on the U.S. Government Shutdown
Amy Bucher with her daughter, Arden. Amy writes about the impact the government shutdown is having on kids with cancer and their families. “My heart aches for any parent in that situation today,” says Amy. Photo: Flashes of Hope
In the emergency room, my husband and I feared it was appendicitis. Please, don’t let her require surgery, was my prayer for a while that day. We were immediately taken to a room in the back after triage, which indicated that the emergency staff was also concerned. Then the prodding, the palpating of Arden’s abdomen, and the repetition of our story of her symptoms began.
Update on Justin Miller, Our Childhood Cancer Fighting Ninja
Justin is fighting childhood cancer for the seventh time
Sunday we had a bit of a glimmer of hope that things were getting better, but by early Monday we knew they were not. After an intense day of vomiting and various other issues to include some internal bleeding, he was admitted to the hospital. We needed assistance to get this under control. I had been doing nightly fluids, meds every three to four hours around the clock, working with the doctors at the hospital with me being home with Justin, but it just didn’t seem to matter.
In addition to all of this, he has also managed to lose over 10 pounds in the last two weeks. He was very sick and we are both exhausted.
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