retinoblastoma

Matthias was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer of the eye, when he was an infant.

Matthias never took a pacifier. He had a wicked gag reflex, so we had to find other ways to soothe him. Music became his pacifier, and we relied on it heavily.

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St. Baldrick’s Ambassador Matthias with his Grandfather

My wife and I are blessed with 14 beautiful, uniquely wonderful grandchildren. We all like to think that we don’t have favorites, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that my buddy Matthias has a very special place in my heart.

My journey with childhood cancer began with a telephone call almost 5 years ago. The call is indelibly seared into my memories as one of the most distressing moments of my life.

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Top row (L-R): Trisha, Beth, TeNeil, Misshay, Ericka
Bottom row: Jessica, Renee, Stephanie, Vanessa, Jordan
Photos by Ali Parker Photography

Each one of these moms has heard the words, “Your child has cancer.” Their kids’ cancer journeys brought them to the 10th floor of the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. There in the halls of the pediatric oncology unit, friendship grew. Stronger together, they became 10 Strong.

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His parents, Katie and Craig, send their thanks for supporting kids like their son and giving them hope for a healthy future.

“Kids should be out living their lives, not fighting for them. St. Baldrick’s has such dedicated volunteers, and it is so amazing that they have raised so much money already. Being a family fighting cancer is very isolating, and St. Baldrick’s donors and volunteers send a collective message that these families are not alone and people care.”

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Diagnosed with retinoblastoma in both eyes at 3 ½ months old, Matthias had six months of chemotherapy, monthly laser and cryo-therapies, and Exams Under Anesthesia. Near the end of treatment, his main tumors started growing again and there were more seed tumors – too many to count. Matthias’s eyes were removed before his first birthday.

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