Thank you for your passion and commitment to fight childhood cancer!
In December 2018, Michael (age 3) went to the pediatrician for a typical belly ache and fever. It was within moments of seeing the alarming look on the doctor’s face in the exam room that we knew something was wrong.
In the hours to follow, we would learn that Michael has a massive tumor (about half the size of a football) growing deep within his abdominal cavity and, soon after, came the dreaded phrase that no parent should ever have to hear: “your child has cancer.”
In particular, Michael has Stage 3 High Risk Neuroblastoma – a pediatric cancer that formed from immature nerve cells on his right Adrenal gland (which sits just above the kidney). It is an aggressive cancer that impacts only 700 children globally a year.
While it is impossible to describe the all-consuming fear, anger and sadness that comes with such a diagnosis, watching Michael through this journey has been remarkable. At 4 years old today, he is a warrior. His strength, resilience and smile is infectious. He has overcome obstacles that a grown (wo)man could not endure. Only raw facts can paint a picture of his continued bravery
• 131 overnight stays in the hospital
• 38 cycles of chemotherapy
• 26 radiation treatments
• 2 surgeries
• 24 blood transfusions
• 11 trips to the ER
• 126 million new stem cell
• 6 months of immunotherapy
And by the grace of God, he is here. Fighting.
Our wish for him today and every day is that he continue to live life to the fullest. May he always embrace challenges in life with a smile … may he always be surrounded by love … and may one day he be blessed with a cure.
To our friends, family, co-workers and community that have supported us through this year, “thank you” will never be enough. We owe you a part of ourselves. To the angels that watched over us, thank you for answering all our tearful pleas. And to all the doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers and more, thank you for loving and caring for our family like your own.
The journey for Michael is far from over, but one thing is certain: he is strong, he is brave, and he is LOVED.
Thank you for supporting the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.
