On November 23, 2014 after months of pain, unexplained fevers, River was diagnosed with Stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma. He was 2.5 and had a brand new baby sister, Sparrow. This past summer, after 5 rounds of chemo, multiple infections, countless procedures, 24 rounds of radiation, 4 rounds of Immunotherapy AND making it to a trial to prevent relapse, he earned his wings. 

He had such a big life, in so few years, but he should have been allowed more.  Cancer didn't kill my son. Complications from treatment did. Until that day in November, I had no idea how little of federal funding goes to Pediatric Cancer research. (It's 3.8%). In the last 20 years, only 3 drugs have been developed and approved specifically to treat kids, they get drugs that were developed for adult cancers. Not to say they don't get results, but at what cost?  I heard a Pediatric Oncologist say once that cancer will be cured by research, most likely in the private sector. But research costs money. And there's not enough given to them.  One of the best things you can do is to donate money to organizations like St. Baldricks, or directly to a research facility.

Now we 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.  I won't ask you to shave your head, but it's a scary and fun thing, your hair will come back, I can't get my son back. I challenge you to donate even $5, for my Forever 5 year old, share this with your friends, family. And please come out on March 10, to see what it's all about!