In the early morning of February 4th, 2012 which is ironically World Cancer Day...I gave birth at home, surrounded by my husband and six eager children/step-children. Kellan was born into the water and his first moments were so amazingly peaceful. I remember staring into his beautiful dark eyes while we were still cradled by the warm water...I was struck by how much he looked like his brothers and sisters...the perfect combination of our blended family. Sadly, our happiness was short-lived. As soon as we left the water and upon the Midwives assessment, we observed that Kellan was flaccid from the waist down, his color was dusky purple and his pulses were severely diminished. We left for the hospital where I worked as a nurse and were then transported to Boston Children's later that evening. Shortly after Midnight, we were ushered into a small room near the NICU and were told that Kellan had a large mass in his spine and abdomen. It still didn't register, the Dr. had to draw a picture. He drew a diagram of a spinal column completely occluded with tumor. Kellan was diagnosed the next day with Neuroblastoma and started Chemotherapy on Day 3 of life. After 4 rounds of Chemo and at age 3 months, Kellan endured 9 hour tumor resection. In August of 2012 at the age of 6 months Kellan was deemed NED. Unfortunately, the cancer has left Kellan with permanent paralysis. He beat the cancer dragon but will forever have the battle scars. I am shaving for my little warrior who to this day, is a force of nature. Kellan is the strong one...I am merely his Momma who loves him fiercely.

I'm raising money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.

Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.