Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Meet Abby

In 2001, at the age of six, Abby was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor called anaplastic ependymoma. After surgery which completely removed the tumor, she had six weeks of radiation treatments. Everything was just fine when a routine MRI revealed a recurrent tumor in 2003. Additional surgery and brachytherapy radiation followed. Later that same year, Abby had more surgery to remove extensive radiation necrosis after which she completed two years of oral chemotherapy. In May 2007, a routine MRI revealed a “suspicious” area which required more surgery. Thankfully, the mass turned out to be non-malignant and Abby has recovered well. Abby is an independent girl who loves animals, especially the family pets, Charlie, a black and tan standard dachshund, and Snickers, a fluffy cat. She enjoys listening to music, playing games with her sister, and has participated in soccer and gymnastics. Abby’s determination and strong spirit have helped her through the difficult times. At present, she is healthy and enjoying life.

Meet Aiden

Aiden was a charismatic and loving toddler. He loved to “wash dishes” and get his own snacks. Aiden was a healthy and robust child until he was diagnosed with ATRT, Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor, which is a rare and highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor. Aiden, like his childhood cancer counterparts, never complained and valiantly fought cancer until he went to heaven in his mother’s arms four months after diagnosis.

Aiden’s mom shares, “Research is the key to a cure for our children. Aiden didn’t just touch people’s lives; he touched them deeply, and we are thankful to everyone who helps in the fight against this disease.”

Meet AJ

AJ was born during a blizzard in March 1993, and didn’t cry or breathe right away. But after he took that first breath, boy did he breath deeply for the rest of his life. He lived his short life to the fullest and did the right thing, always giving 110%.  He loved sports and played football, hockey, track and soccer at a championship level. He was always smiling.  He expressed his love of music by playing the guitar. He loved people, animals, movies and good books. He was a thinker, but he had fun.  AJ always made people laugh and was simply just a joy to be around. 

His sister Katelyn said, “AJ, you would say something to make me laugh or cry or think and I would just stare at you thinking, “How did you even think of that?’” His best buddy Pablo said, “AJ’s character was like the sun—brilliant, golden, and able to light up the whole world”.

AJ was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma and was admitted to the hospital on Fathers Day 2007. He fought bravely, elegantly and continually until January 5, 2008, when God decided that AJ was the only person on Earth who could do what needed to be done for Him. We miss him more than words can ever describe and will forever hold him in our hearts. He will always be Dad’s “favorite son”, Mom’s “pistol” and Katelyn’s “guitar hero.”

We have decided to try to do something so that no other boys or girls or parents have to endure this pain and suffering. Please visit the following website to help with our fight. People Against Childhood Cancer: http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com

Meet Alexa

Just days after her first birthday, Alexa was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer. She was given a 20% chance for survival. Fortunately, Alexa was enrolled in a clinical trial and for the next three years underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. After a few years of healthy childhood, she began to have several medical issues which were a result of all the cancer treatment she had as a young child.  Alexa’s spine began to curve sideways and inward towards her organs. The inward curve began pushing against her lungs and along with the scarred lungs from chemotherapy she ended up with only a 20% lung capacity.

In January 2008, Alexa flew to St. Louis to have scoliosis and lordosis surgery in order to straighten her spine and give her room to breathe. The results were amazing and she returned to Atlanta for physical and occupational therapy and to get back to being just a normal kid.

Although Alexa was far from being normal, she was a beautiful girl with a big, bright smile and an amazing attitude.  She loved school, math and reading, helping others, playing the piano, and having fun with all of her friends. At age 11, she was so full of life but passed away on Thanksgiving Day with her family by her side.

Meet Amelia L.

On the December 23rd of 2005, Amelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She continued attending school throughout the initial phases of her treatment and is currently in remission.

Amelia turned 8 in May and looks forward to starting the third grade in August. Her attitude and spirit continue to be an inspiration to all who know her.

Meet Amelia M.

Amelia was born on October 31st, 2001 and was always a curious and happy child. At three and half years old, she was taken to the pediatrician because it was suspected she had pink eye, which was ruled out. Two weeks later the retina in her right eye detached and she was quickly diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer that begins in the eye.

Two days later her right eye was removed, and we were overjoyed to find that the cancer had not spread and she would not need chemotherapy. Her remaining eye is healthy with perfect vision, but she will always wear glasses to protect it. After she healed from surgery she was fitted with her “princess” eye.

Amelia remains cancer free. She enjoys time with her friends and her dog Sophie, playing violin, airplanes, and catching bugs in the yard. When she grows up she wants to be a police officer.

Meet Andrew

After weeks of painful headaches, constant nausea and loss of appetite, six-year-old Andrew was taken to his pediatrician once again. One day he was being treated for a sinus infection. The next day, he was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain tumor, known as a hypothalamic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma.

Andrew participated in an experimental radiation protocol receiving daily brain radiation for eight weeks. After some shrinking, his tumor has remained stable for five years. Andrew has officially been off treatment for six years. Although he battles long-term side effects from treatment including many hormone issues, he feels fortunate to be able to enjoy the life that he does.

Andrew is now an active 13 year old. He enjoys school, and he loves to play baseball, basketball, and run cross country. He is an inspiration to his family and friends. He proudly raises funds to fight childhood cancer and doesn’t want any child to suffer from cancer or the terrible side effects from treatment.

Meet Angela

Angela writes: My life changed in the spring of 1973. I was just three years old when my mom took me to my pediatrician for a check up. While he was examining the area around my stomach, a very serious look came across his face. After his partner examined me and confirmed what he had found, they told my mom to take me to the children’s hospital where I had x-rays and a CT scan. I was then diagnosed with stage III neuroblastoma. At the time when I was diagnosed, I had no symptoms. My dad, who is a family doctor, feared the worst but prayed for a miracle. I endured surgery and one year of chemotherapy. My surgeon discovered during surgery that my tumor was caught early and had not invaded any of my vital organs.

Due to the amount of chemo that I received, I started having problems with my short and long-term memory. I’m quietly struggling with this day by day, but I enjoy swimming, riding my bike, scrapbooking, reading, painting, and listening to music.

My picture is from 1981, when I was a healthy 11 year-old and 7 years cancer-free. Today, I love sharing my story of surviving childhood cancer over 30 years ago with people who are living with childhood cancer now. Please donate to Rally so that researchers can find treatments with fewer long-term side effects!

Meet Avery

Always smiling, athletic and enthusiastic Avery began complaining of back and leg pain in the spring of 2005.  She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) the most common childhood cancer and just completed two years of chemotherapy treatment.  All through treatment, Avery maintained her contagious smile and a great sense of humor.

Avery, like most teenagers, enjoys hanging out with her friends and going to the beach.  She is a swimmer and an inspiration to all who know her.

Meet Bella and Maddi,

On July 4th, 2007, our family was blessed with the birth of beautiful identical twin girls, Isabella (Bella) and Madeline (Maddie). On August 30th we noticed that Madeline’s abdomen was a little swollen and firm. However, her behavior was unchanged so the pediatrician suggested some gas drops, which we tried but did not change her abdomen.

On September 4th we went to the pediatrician for the girls’ 2-month checkup. He took a look at Isabella and said she looks perfectly healthy. He took a look at Madeline and he immediately sent us for an x-ray. After the x-ray, we waited in the waiting room for the doctor to call us back with the results. He didn’t like what he saw on the x-ray, so he told us to go to the hospital immediately.

A CAT scan that very night indicated Maddie had a large cancerous tumor called neuroblastoma. In the next few days, Bella began exhibiting symptoms and was soon diagnosed with neuroblastoma as well. The doctors feel that the tumor started in Madeline and spread to Isabella via the placenta. The girls are only the 9th reported case of monozygotic twins with neuroblastoma in the world.

The girls have a proud older brother, Isaiah, who is 2 years old. He likes to visit them at the hospital but is looking forward to spending time with them at home!

Meet Benjamin

At the age of four, Benjamin was diagnosed in 2004 with two types of Leukemia (ALL and AML) at the same time. After a relapse, he continues in treatment for his cancer. He has spent three years of his life on chemotherapy.

Ben enjoys playing soccer and recently earned an orange-striped white belt in karate! Ben loves Ninja turtles, climbing on the playground, and playing with his brother. He is looking forward to beginning kindergarten soon.

Meet Brady

Just before his fourth birthday, Brady was diagnosed with cancer.  A malignant tumor in his right ear canal extended through his middle and inner ear.  The tumor wrapped multiple times around the carotid artery, which rests on the brain.  The day after his fourth birthday, Brady began an aggressive treatment of radiation (28 treatments stretched over six weeks) and chemotherapy for the next 43 weeks. None of this stopped Brady.  He remained the fun-loving, spunky child everyone had always known.  In fact, Brady played his first baseball game just one day after receiving a heavy dose of chemo!

Now at the age of eight, Brady is currently off treatment and doing great! He loves playing baseball, riding his bike, and playing with his brother and friends.

Meet Brittany

Vibrant, energetic, beautiful, athletic, courageous…that was Brittany from day one.  At 19, she was the picture of health and on her way to the future of her dreams

Brittany was a college sophomore, a gymnast and a coach.  Until September 2006.  At first, the nagging cough and lethargy was more a nuisance than a concern, but after 2 months of various doctors, medications, and diagnoses an open lung biopsy was finally done.  Three days later Brittany was diagnosed with a lung cancer so rare in her age bracket that a leading cancer center had only four cases in their records.

A double lung transplant looked to be her only option, but the cancer was especially aggressive and she began declining very quickly. Soon, due to her decline and the unusual nature of this cancer, the transplant was no longer an option and she was to be treated with a new targeted chemotherapy drug that had shown some quick results in clinical trials. Tragically, the cancer didn’t respond as quickly as we hoped, and she just didn’t have the amount of time needed for the treatment to take effect.  Three weeks after being diagnosed, Brittany lost her battle with lung cancer.

Brittany’s mom writes, “This beautiful young lady, not quite 20, was a fighter right up until the end.  A role model of grace and dignity, she’s left a wonderful legacy for her siblings and friends to follow.  Our prayers now are that her legacy lives on through us.  Brittany’s Battle is far from over…we are fighting on until the day NO ONE has to fight anymore.”

Meet Bryson

Bryson was born on January 9, 2008, and his journey with childhood cancer began seven months later. After spending a long night in two different emergency rooms, a CT scan revealed that Bryson had a bleed on his brain caused by a tumor. He was immediately life-flighted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where a procedure was performed to relieve the pressure until the tumor could be removed.

On September 2, 2008, a successful brain surgery removed 85% of the tumor. A few days later, Bryson was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, and was placed on a two-year chemotherapy treatment plan. He has recovered from five surgeries that he endured over the course of one month and now attends therapy two times a week. He also receives chemo treatments once a month. Although Bryson has a long road ahead of him, he is a strong child and has already proven to be a fighter in so many ways.

Meet Cam

Mid-way through the summer before Cam was going to start seventh grade, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in his left leg.  For the next year Cam underwent surgery, 14 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation treatments and physical therapy. Unfortunately, Cam relapsed in May 2009. He is currently undergoing an experimental antibody treatment called IGFR. He is a typical teenage boy who is hungry all the time, enjoys video games and playing “airsoft” with his friends. His favorite subject is math, and he just made Star rank in Boy Scouts. Cam writes, “I’ve just found out that I’ve had a recurrence of my Ewing’s sarcoma cancer. Yuck!  I thank you for raising money to help kids like me.”

Meet Camden

Camden began having problems with his ears and balance at the beginning of 2007. After several weeks of appointments with many different doctors, a CT scan showed a tumor on Camden’s brain in February 2007. Camden was flown to a hospital several hours away from home for brain surgery to remove the tumor. The pathology report showed that Camden had medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor, which had also spread to his spinal cord. He underwent chemotherapy treatments until shortly before he passed away in September 2008.

Camden loved to watch movies, play with his puzzles and playdoh, read books, sword fight with his brother, and listen to music. He was a personable kid who loved to interact with others. His mom says, “He had the best spirit of anyone I know; and I, as his mother, looked up to him for strength and support. What he had to endure on a regular basis was something I don’t know I would be able to do and with such a wonderful character.”

Meet Carmel

Carmel was diagnosed with AML leukemia on January 1, 2004. After extensive chemotherapy and radiation, she underwent a bone marrow transplant in which her sister was a perfect match. Off treatment for over a year, Carmel is doing great.

Carmel’s mom says, “Today we are grateful for a boring normal life.” Carmel is currently a 4.0 student at Georgia Highlands College. She does volunteer work at her local library. She loves cooking, singing, reading, and small children. She has also adopted a rescued pit bull named Daisy. She is currently doing very well, and will celebrate being cancer free for five years in April 2009!

Meet Carsten

Carsten is a loving, intelligent, funny and fun boy who loves to learn. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in December 2005, and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC. He continues to maintain a positive, upbeat attitude, and enjoys learning about how his body is working to defeat this disease.

Carsten is in third grade at Key Elementary School, where classes are instructed in English and in Spanish. It has been great fun for him learning another language. He loves to create. One of his favorite activities is to build flying machines out of Lego blocks.  He also loves to draw, paint, and to glue things together. Carsten loves to read, and is a big fan of Star Wars, and other adventure stories.

Meet Carter

At the age of seven, Carter faced cancer with determination and a smile – not once did he complain. All who knew Carter adored him. Carter loved God, Georgia Tech, his dog Comet and his family and friends tremendously. He excelled in art, sports and academics. Carter thrived on competition, and he won almost every battle. When this young warrior met his match in cancer, he challenged the disease with his own piggy bank coins and asking his mom to give the money to find a cure.

Despite 14 cycles of chemotherapy and an experimental form of therapy, Carter’s battle against cancer was lost. But this courageous young man, who knew cancer could take his life, told his mom, “Cancer can’t take away love.”

Meet Carter R

On May 9, 2008, 8-year-old Carter was taken to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital following a virus. We were expecting to get some blood work done, and find out why his blood counts were lower than they should be. The next eight hours were a blur as the doctors expressed “concern” over some “suspicious” cells. They admitted Carter to the hospital to await a bone marrow test on Monday, and on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, Carter was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia).

Carter immediately started treatment, which consisted of implanting a port, checking his spinal fluid for leukemia cells, and starting chemotherapy. He is now in the maintenance phase of treatment and his estimated treatment end date is July 2011!

Although there is so much out of our hands, we know that with the continuous thoughts and prayers of our friends and family, we will ultimately help Carter reach his final goal of a full recovery!

Meet Catherine

Catherine was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her optic pathways when she was 27 months old. She underwent chemotherapy for 18 months and finished on March 17, 2009! Although Catherine is officially finished with chemo, she will continue to be busy with brain MRIs scheduled every three months for the next 2 years, weekly blood checks to monitor her platelet counts, and eventually, bladder repair surgery. So far, she has done well, with a few bumps along the way. Incredibly observant, she reminds her parents to put cream on her port before going to the doctor. She helps the nurses flush her tubes by pushing the syringes. Catherine gets the toys ready to play tug of war with the doctor to test her strength. If anyone ever forgets who she is, she shows them her hospital bracelet so they can check her identity.

Her journey with cancer has not slowed this busy toddler down. She loves going swimming and recently enjoyed a vacation trip to Disney World. We are praying that her vision will be fine, the tumor will never return, and the chemo will have no lasting side effects. We are blessed to have Catherine in our lives and blessed with the wonderful team of people who care for her. We are excited to see how she will gain strength, weight and energy throughout the next year. She is a delight and joy to everyone she meets

Meet Catie

Catie was an adorable toddler who had a twinkle in her eye and brought a smile to your face. She loved animals, princesses and her friends. She was also a very determined and courageous little girl. On her first birthday, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Catie has endured eight surgeries, 22 months of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. Catie fought long and hard, but in the end, her body could not tolerate any more treatment.

Catie’s mom, Jenny, says, “Children’s days should be filled with playtime, laughter, and friends not chemotherapy, hospitals, and medicine. It is only through research like that funded by the Rally Foundation that doctors will find more and less toxic cures for our children. That’s why we fully support the Rally Foundation and the work it does. Join us and rally with Catie to give all kids diagnosed with cancer a better chance at living the full life they deserve.”

Meet Chelsie

Chelsie was diagnosed with stage III High Risk Neuroblastoma in August 2004 at the very young age of 4 months. By her first birthday she had endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, 12 rounds of radiation, oral chemotherapy, surgery to remove the remaining tumor, and a very risky stem cell transplant. Through it all she remained a trooper. In February 2005, she was declared NED (no evidence of disease), which she remains today.

We were very fortunate to live in a community with a cancer center for children. We count our blessings daily that she is where she is today, especially since many of her friends are not so fortunate.

Chelsie loves school and cheering on her favorite team O-H-I-O. She is still followed very closely by her oncologist and is scanned every 3 - 6 months. She is such a joy to our family and we pray that a cure is found, so that others may live.

Meet Chris

At the age of five, Chris was learning Tae Kwon Do and getting ready for kindergarten when his parents were given the devastating news that he had cancer. For the next five years, Chris had three surgeries, 34 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and hundreds of blood and platelet transfusions. He was a Cub Scout, served on the school safety patrol, and had a first degree black belt and an incredible sense of humor.

At age 11, his body could not tolerate more treatment and he passed away with so much more life yet to live.

Meet Christi

Christi began experiencing back pain in the spring of 2002. Doctors found nothing wrong. One day, she woke up from a nap screaming in pain and unable to breathe. A CT scan found a tumor along her spine and around her heart. September 11, 2002 she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the nervous system. It had spread throughout Christi’s tiny body and into her bone marrow. She was Stage 4, the most advanced stage with the poorest chance of survival. Intense cancer treatments, two hours from home, put Christi in isolation for many months - no school, church, or friends.

Despite the harsh treatments, the cancer remained and it became medically necessary to transfer Christi’s cancer care to New York City. Christi’s parents left their youngest daughter at home (500 miles away) and moved into the Ronald McDonald House where they lived for 9 months during Christi’s treatments. The treatment included surgeries, chemo, and other experimental trials. Still, her cancer remained.

Christi took many more experimental treatments some allowed her to live a relatively “normal” life at home. A profoundly gifted child, she loved school. She also took weekly: horse riding lessons, ballet, jazz, religion and piano lessons. She received the “Clara Barton Award” (the Red Cross’s highest honor), for sponsoring blood drives. Christi knew first hand the importance of donating blood as her life has been saved over and over by loving blood donors.

Sadly, in January of 2006 Christi’s cancer worsened and spread. Despite nine more months of experimental treatments, the cancer proved to be too much for Christi’s body who had endured four continuous years of treatments. Christi gained her Angel wings on September 19, 2006 with her parents by her side.

Meet Claire

Claire was the kind of child that always seemed larger than life. As a baby, she cried more than any other baby; as a toddler, she was always busy learning about everything, and as a little girl, she could do anything. Claire was an excellent gymnast, contortionist and swimmer. Everything came easy to her, so much so, it made her brother and sister jealous. As a teenager, she was a cheerleader and member of the debate team. She was beautiful, and had a lot of friends.

Then, cancer reared its ugly head. Not just cancer, but the terminal kind with a challenging 14 months, at best, to live. Claire took on this new challenge with her usual pluck and strength. She was determined to beat it, and she fought for all she was worth.

Claire lost her battle to cancer, but not because she didn’t fight. She lost it because we don’t know how to stop her kind of cancer. We don’t know how to stop a lot of childhood cancers. If Claire had been diagnosed with a brainstem glioma in 1974, her prognosis would have been the same then as it is today. This is unthinkable that we are allowing our children to die because we don’t put our money into research for childhood cancers. Please join Claire, me, all of the children who have and are battling cancer, and their families in giving money for cancer research.

Meet Clark

Clark was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in August 2006 at the age of 15. Clark loved all sports but was an avid baseball and football player. While training for football, Clark experienced a pain in his leg, which was later diagnosed as Osteosarcoma. He spent his first year of high school receiving chemotherapy treatments in Atlanta and New York City.

Clark’s attitude and determination have,enabled him to overcome many obstacles and minor set-backs. He is currently preparing for his senior year of high school. He has redirected his love for sports to golf and fishing. He coaches middles school football and baseball. He stands by his motto of “adapt and overcome” as he continues to embrace all that life has to offer.

Meet Cole

In November 2006, Cole was diagnosed with cancer just before turning six years old.  Doctors discovered several large masses in his abdomen, later to be diagnosed as Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors.  He endured nine rounds of high-dose chemo, a MIRACULOUS surgery in NYC that successfully resected 100% of the tumors, and full abdominal/pelvic radiation therapy.  Cole ended treatment in August 2007, and has been in remission since.  While relapse is a possibility for Cole’s disease and many others, Cole is determined to stay strong and healthy to be ready to fight if it returns. Cole is a charmer who makes friends wherever he goes and loves sports, especially baseball.  He has an undefeatable positive spirit - and remembers more about all the fun opportunities he’s had during treatment than the cancer itself.  While he is one of the lucky ones to beat this awful disease, there are currently no treatments to prevent recurrence. Cole’s mom says, “More research on immunology and genetic therapy is much needed to help kids like Cole who beat cancer stay cancer free!” divider

Meet Coleman

Coleman’s journey began Sept. 21, 2006, when he and his twin brother Caden were 2 and a half years old. Coleman began displaying signs of dizziness and complaining of head and neck pain. Our pediatrician was concerned and ordered an MRI. The diagnosis was devastating; the word tumor cut like a knife right through our hearts. Coleman had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a tangerine that was embedded in his cerebellum. He was also diagnosed with medulloblastoma. 

He had completed one year of chemo when a routine MRI revealed that two tumors were growing in the same spot as his original tumor, and his spinal fluid also contained cancer cells. Chemo was stopped and Coleman did seven weeks of radiation. Caden was there every day to talk to him over the loud speaker during his treatments, and Coleman was able to complete radiation without sedation! The tumors responded but had not disappeared, so Coleman underwent a stem cell transplant. In August 2008, Coleman relapsed four months after the transplant.  He had seven small tumors in his spine and cancer cells in his spinal fluid. In November 2008, Coleman was undergoing a clinical trial when an MRI revealed that the tumors were continuing to grow.

Coleman says, “Some day I won’t need NO more meds or pokes, wight mommy? THEN I tan be NO-MAL!”  Amen to that—but I don’t think this kid will ever be described as NORMAL. He’s way too special for that!  He and Caden are now four years old. The bond the two of them share, along with our amazing family; our friends; our community; and our faith in God have gotten us through a time when we wondered how we could ever survive.

Meet Colin

Colin was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he hitched a ride around most of Europe with Mom and Dad before his first birthday.  After returning to Chattanooga, TN, a workup for failure to thrive revealed severe gastroesophageal reflux which was treated with some success medically. However, during one of the upper GI scope procedures, an abdominal mass was noted incidentally which was eventually diagnosed as stage 2a Neuroblastoma, N-myc amplified. This is an aggressive tumor which is usually stage 4 at diagnosis. After major abdominal surgery, over 7 smaller surgeries, 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and 12 radiation treatments, Colin is currently undergoing antibody treatment before finishing with 6 months of Accutane therapy.

Since his diagnosis, Colin touched hundreds of lives around the world through his courage and resilience. Colin enjoys showing off original dance moves for his nurses and parents, throwing balls, watching Thomas the Train (A.K.A. Car-Car), and attacking daddy’s chin.  He is also learning to share with his new baby brother, Ryan.  With no current evidence of disease, Colin is ready to rally as a warrior against cancer. Rally on, Weeman!

Meet Cooper

During a routine check up at six months of age, Cooper was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. He had a softball-sized tumor in his abdomen and cancer that had spread to his liver. Since that time, Cooper has been through surgery, 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, radiation, and a retinoic acid and antibody study. He just had his first off-treatment scans which showed that he is cancer free! Despite the ordeal, Cooper is the happiest kid one could imagine. He is now four years old.

Meet Cooper

During a routine check up at six months of age, Cooper was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. He had a softball-sized tumor in his abdomen and cancer that had spread to his liver. Since that time, Cooper has been through surgery, 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, radiation, and a retinoic acid and antibody study. He just had his first off-treatment scans which showed that he is cancer free! Despite the ordeal, Cooper is the happiest kid one could imagine. He is now four years old.

Meet Corey

Corey was born on June 4, 2004. At the age of 2 1/2, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. He underwent chemotherapy, stem cell harvest, surgery, and a stem cell transplant. He had complications including septic shock and kidney failure, which required dialysis treatments. After recovering he had 12 rounds of radiation, antibody treatment and Accutane therapy. He enjoyed 11 months of being cancer-free and six months off treatment before relapsing in October 2008. He then had more radiation and chemotherapy until March, when his scans were clear again. Unfortunately, his cancer returned only one month later. Corey started chemotherapy again but immediately began suffering severe side effects. His medical team tried to treat his low blood pressure and respiratory failure, but the cancer was taking over his body. On May 8, 2009, Corey’s journey with cancer ended peacefully, and he is now free from cancer and enjoying heaven.

Corey was a loving and energetic boy who loved firefighters, trucks, trains, and fishing. He was the youngest member of his community’s fire department. He is deeply missed by his family.

Meet Coulter

Not only was Coulter deaf and blind in one eye, but at 18 months old he started showing signs of a cancer called Aplastic Anemia. He was a child who was full of life and loved to play outside. He loved Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the movie Toy Story, and liked to dress up as different characters. He loved his brother and sister dearly and enjoyed going to school when he was well enough to do so.

After fighting for six and a half years, he lost his battle and died March 29, 2005. He was 8 years old and had so many more plans for his life.

Meet Daniel

At age 12 and 13, Daniel underwent surgery to correct a leg length discrepancy. Sixteen months later, as a high school freshman, Daniel’s dad noticed a walnut-sized lump near the previous incision.Daniel underwent surgery for this soft tissue tumor, but it was misdiagnosed by pathology. Daniel felt the recurrence six months later at the end of football season of his sophomore year, now a six-inch tumor completely internal and wrapped around a nerve at the side and back of his knee. He was subsequently rediagnosed with a Desmoid Tumor, also known as Aggressive Fibromatosis, an often misdiagnosed, highly recurring, fast growing type of tumor that strikes often in adolescence.

Daniel received 30 radiation treatments during high school soccer season, but he still played every minute of every game. Seven weeks after major surgery to remove the tumor and previous scar tissue, Daniel contracted a staph infection in his incision, requiring another surgery and seven weeks of wearing a portable wound vacuum. Daniel kicked for the football team while his skin was still healing, even using his one hour unhooked from the wound vacuum to attend football practice. Daniel has not let cancer slow him down ñ he was named Special Team’s MVP by both the freshmen and J.V. football teams.

Daniel has incredible inner strength and has always been determined that his medical treatments would not interfere with his life. He also insisted that his tumor tissue be donated for research to help other children fighting this disease. He has already started preparing for his career as a doctor by shadowing his orthopedic oncologist/surgeon in the operating room and in the office. His doctor even taught him how to read an MRI while reading Daniel’s first six-month post-surgery clear MRI.

Meet Donnie

At the early age of 17 months, Donovan was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma with metastases to his bone marrow, pelvis, spine, chin and right eye. To fight this disease, Donovan underwent 7 rounds of chemotherapy, a surgery to reset the tumor on his adrenal gland, a stem cell transplant, radiation, and Accutane treatment. We are happy to say that after 18 months of treatment he has now been in remission for 18 months and is finally grown to a normal size for his age.

Donnie lives his cancer free life as a fun 3 year-old that has a lot of energy and loves to spend his days going to church, playing monster trucks and flirt with nurses. We are blessed that he is still here with us, and are excited to get involved in making a difference in the lives of others.

Meet Elise

Elise has Down’s syndrome and was diagnosed with Leukemia in February of 2004. She went through regular chemotherapy infusions and has been off of treatment now for over 13 months.

While she was in the hospital, she was famous for her many expressive, funny faces. Some of her favorite things to do are looking at books, listening to music, and playing outside. Elise is an adorable three year old who loves her brother and is doing just great!

Meet Emily

Emily is seven years old and has been fighting Anaplastic Medulloblastoma since August 2006. She has endured several surgeries, extensive chemotherapy, radiation and in mid summer ‘07, a research protocol chemotherapy regimen. Thus far she has survived much longer than most children diagnosed with this form of medulloblastoma. Emily has brought great awareness to childhood cancer in her community, and she continues to amaze and inspire anyone that

Meet Emily

Emily used to enjoy riding her bike, boating, going to the beach, dancing and going down waterslides. While unable to walk and do her previous activities, she still likes having her picture taken, dolls, princess stuff, jewelry, coloring & drawing, Dora, and Scooby Doo.  Emily also loves to cuddle with her new puppy, Oreo! Emily recently enjoyed her wish being fulfilled by visiting Walt Disney World in Florida with her family.

Meet Ethan

Ethan was a smart and active child until shortly after his 4th birthday when he began complaining of leg and stomach pain.  He also had some suspicious bruises that did not go away, and soon we could not even wake him from his naps.  Ethan’s body was slowly being deprived of oxygen and his platelets were dramatically low due to a cancer of the blood called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  Because of how rapidly the diseased blood cells multiply, the family and physicians had to take immediate action.  Within a few hours, a port was placed in Ethan’s chest and chemotherapy began

Ethan is currently half way through a 3.5 year regimen of chemotherapy.  The first 6 months were extremely difficult with Ethan’s immune system completely destroyed, and he was in isolation at home the majority of the time.  Even now, whenever Ethan’s temperature goes over 101, he will be admitted to the hospital for antibiotics and blood tests and observation.  You can imagine how many times a pre-schooler and (now) kindergartner gets viruses and fevers!  We are in this for the long haul but we count on the length of the chemo to hopefully keep him from relapsing

Ethan is still very smart, but too much activity tires him out now.  The steroids he must take monthly also dramatically change his behavior to a person we do not always recognize.  His diet is often unhealthy and erratic.  The chemo changes their taste buds or makes food seem unappetizing

Ethan loves playing with NFL football helmets and knows all the teams and divisions.  He loves playing with his little sister, it could be anything from imaginary friends to drawing to putting underwear on their heads.  They are always silly and creative!  He likes Scooby Doo and is a lover of all things in nature and all animals

Ethan’s mom shares, “My hope is that research will help us identify a gene that causes this disease, or a direct environmental link so we can stop exposing children to whatever it is.  I also hope that chemotherapy will get more and more personalized so that each child gets enough but not too little to permanently kill the cancer.  Too much chemo is also bad, as the side effects are several pages long and include other cancers later in life.”

Meet Harrison

Harrison was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL T-cell) on February 29, 2004. During the phases of his aggressive chemotherapy, radiation treatments and healing, his family and friends followed the ups and downs of his grueling tour through the Tour de Harrison narratives.

Inspired by real life hero Lance Armstrong, Harrison mounted a courageous race against cancer. He went through two and one half years of treatment (20 red blood infusions, 9 platelet infusions, chemotherapy, cranial radiation, spinal taps, implantable port surgeries and a gazillion needle sticks), climbing every mountain that he encountered. His legs were sometimes weary, but his spirit was always strong, and he wore the maillot jaune (yellow jersey) all the way to his victorious finish in June 2006 when he completed treatments!

Meet Hailey

Hailey’s story began at a check up when she was seven months old. She had been very healthy up until that point - hitting all milestones, eating, sleeping well, smiling, laughing, playing, etc. Everything looked great at her visit except that her head was constantly cocked to her right side with her chin rotated towards her left shoulder. The pediatrician diagnosed her with torticollis, a tightening of the neck muscles, so we began physical therapy at the hospital and at home. Hailey also began to vomit every morning after breakfast and began refusing solid foods. She was then sent for an upper GI and blood work, and all came back normal. A new pediatrician ordered an MRI, which revealed that Hailey had two masses in her brain and a build up of cerebrospinal fluid.

Hailey immediately had surgery to place a shunt that would drain the excess fluid, and she was taken to surgery again the following day to have the large, golf ball size tumor removed from the base of her skull. She was then diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid, an aggressive form of cancer that attacks the brain and central nervous system.

Hailey’s three older siblings are eager to be able to play with their baby sister at home again. Hailey’s mom writes, “Join me as we pray and encourage her to fight this disease so she can get on with her life and be the little girl she is supposed to be.”

Meet Hayley

Hayley captured the hearts of all who knew her. She loved circles, chasing cats and horses. Hayley was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia shortly after her first birthday. For months, Hayley was a model patient. She took hospital life in stride, and celebrated many of her firsts there,including walking and talking. After a few months of treatment, Hayley’s leukemia went into remission. A few months later every one was surprised when Hayley relapsed in the skin and bone marrow two weeks short of completing her therapy.

She was never to reach a solid remission again despite numerous chemotherapy and experimental protocols. Her relapses were fast and furious, and included cancer hiding in her spinal fluid and stomach. Knowing time was of the essence, Hayley’s treatment was quickly moved forward with a cord blood transplant. She received intense chemo and total body irradiation prior to the actual transplant, but it wasn’t enough. She relapsed 14 days later, with 23 percent cancer in her blood.

Less than year after her cancer was discovered and a courageous and exhausting battle, Hayley received her much deserved rest and went home to be with her Heavenly Father, cancer-free at last.

Meet Jack

Jack is a seven year-old who was diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. He underwent chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and tandem stem-cell transplants.

Currently off therapy and doing well, Jack loves music of all kinds. He is known for singing and dancing to silly songs. If he does not grow up to be a rock star, he is likely to become a scientist, having a love of experiments, puzzles and gadgets. Jack’s first love is his herd of stuffed “moo moos,” which travel everywhere with him.

Meet Jack S.

Jack was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four and spent most of his life undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Everyone at the hospital enjoyed his wry sense of humor, and he was well known for keeping the nurses on their toes during his hospital stays. Although Jack loved animals of all kinds, he was fondest of snakes, lizards and turtles, earning him the title of “Reptile Man.” Jack also loved traveling and went to places as diverse as Africa and Alaska during his fourteen short years.

After many years of chemotherapy and radiation for numerous relapses of ALL, Jack’s long battle with cancer ended suddenly at the age of thirteen. Jack’s zest for life will be remembered by all who knew him.

Meet Jacob

Jacob is a happy, funny, little clown. He is always trying to make someone laugh. He loves his family, pirates, Spiderman, and his dog Rosie. He was an unusually healthy child, with no colds, flu, or ear aches. Then he started having strange symptoms and illnesses at two and a half years old. After finally having a bone marrow biopsy done, he was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 11, 2003.

He has been so tough through it all. Jacob has endured numerous spinal taps with injections of drugs into his spinal fluid without having to be put to sleep; he took a handful of pills at one time; he has had many blood transfusions, random viral illnesses with weeks of hospital stays, and daily toxic painful chemotherapy, more than any child should ever have to endure. But he keeps in mind the ultimate goal—-growing up and living a long full life. He is doing so well and is in remission. He took his last chemo pill on November 13, 2006 and five years from now Jacob will be considered cured.

Meet Jake

Jake has been battling neuroblastoma since October 2001. Jake underwent five rounds of high dose chemo, surgery to remove his primary tumor, two more rounds of chemo, and a stem cell transplant. After relapsing almost 15 months later, he underwent more chemo and antibody treatment before his scans showed no evidence of disease. When the cancer returned 15 months later, Jake received more chemo, radiation, and accutane therapy. Jake then had a wonderful summer free of cancer and the pain of chemo treatments before the cancer returned once again, and Jake has been undergoing chemo and radiation since then.

Jake’s cancer treatments often take him far from home, but he enjoys spending time at home with his older sister and twin brother in between treatments. He also enjoys the internet and spends a lot of time surfing the web and playing games online. Jake loves baseball, and he attends his twin brother’s baseball games whenever he can. Jake likes to play with his white lab dog, and his dog even retrieves all of the baseballs that Jake hits!

Meet Jarrett

Jarrett was a son, a brother, a friend, a gifted student, and an athlete who had a smile that could brighten up any room. He was a role model to all who knew him displaying a calm maturity in the face of impossible odds. Jarrett was diagnosed with one of the most deadly forms of cancer, malignant melanoma in 2002. When asked how he was doing, his standard answer was “I’m good”, accompanied by a brilliant smile, even when he was not.

Jarrett was fiercely competitive both on and off the field. On the field, Jarrett played the “big three” sports: football, basketball, and baseball. Quarterback, point guard, and left fielder are the three positions that Jarrett held with pride and at the time of his death, Jarrett was ranked in the top five percent of his class.

Jarrett’s battle began when he was just 13 years old. A flat freckle mole suddenly turned black and ugly. No one was more shocked than the dermatologist who removed it, when the pathology report came back: “malignant melanoma.” Jarrett underwent surgery and a sentinel node biopsy. The lymph nodes that were removed were declared “cancer free”. Jarrett was Stage 1 with a ninety-five percent survival rate. But in 2004 an enlarged lymph node was discovered directly under the original scar line. It was removed and found to contain a melanoma tumor that was channeling out of the lymph node. Jarrett was now Stage 3 and his chance of survival was at fifty-nine percent, with treatment. In October of 2005, Jarrett’s CT scan showed two masses in his right lung. Melanoma again! His survival rate was slashed to a mere two percent. Jarrett and his family rallied the troops and raged a fierce battle but nothing could stop the cancer. Finally, on February 22, 2006 melanoma claimed 17 year old Jarrett’s life but not his spirit.

Jarrett’s quick wit, his loyalty, his very presence will forever be missed and mourned for. Please remember Jarrett Boston—a short life, well lived & well loved.

Meet Jaxon

Jaxon is four years old. In July, we went to a surgeon to schedule hernia surgery for a lump we had found on his tummy. The doctor quickly started testing and after bloodwork and a biopsy, Jaxon was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer that had spread to both his lungs. Hepatoblastoma affects .09 in one million children. He is currently getting ready to start his third round of chemotherapy. After two more rounds he will be evaluated for either liver and lung resection or a liver transplant.

Jaxon lives in Missouri with his mom, dad and sister, Abby. He likes motorcycles, tractors and football. The Kansas City Chiefs are his favorite team!

Meet Joe

On December 9th, 2005, seven weeks after his second birthday, Joe was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and has been undergoing treatment since that time. While his first couple months of treatment were difficult due to a virus and staph infection, Joe was actually in remission after eight days of treatment! In mid-June, Joe started the “maintenance” phase of his treatment which will continue into early 2009.

Aside from the rough start, you would have a hard time believing Joe is being treated for such a serious disease. He is a rough and tumble kid who just wants to play with his construction trucks, friends, and swim. Aside from Mom and Dad, Joe’s brothers Andrew and Nate, as well as a sister Emma, have been instrumental in helping him get through these tough months. A day does not go by without them making him laugh or him making them laugh. Thankfully, his infectious personality is still intact,he is a nut! Joe’s mom shares, “Joe is our hero and anything we can do to help support Rally is a priority for our family.”

Meet Johnathon

Johnathon’s mom shares, “Well, when it comes to talking about Johnathon, it isn’t hard. He was the light of my life, my sweet little angel. And although his time here was short, he touched so many people and changed lives as well. He was a beautiful baby boy with the biggest blue eyes that would just melt your heart! He had such a great laugh and a personality that just shined, and he spread so much warmth and love to everyone he touched. He was my special “little man”.”

Johnathon was 17 months old when he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in November 1997. His mom continues, “I didn’t know until then that kids got cancer, but I quickly had a rude awakening to the fact that children really do get cancer. Most of the options that we were given were “trial and research” options, but we chose to fight!”

Johnathon had surgeries to remove the tumors, chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell rescue. He spent two months in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and fought to get home, even when the prognosis was ,poor. We walked out of that PICU with the entire staff clapping.

After a short time of being cancer-free, the cancer returned, and this time it was everywhere. In December 1998, the surgeons told us the tumors were inoperable, and I opted to stop treatments. I chose to let him spend his last few weeks surrounded by family, his stuffed animals, his pet dog and me. We sat around and watched his favorite movies, and I never left his side. Johnathon passed away quietly in my arms in January 1999, he was only two and a half years old.

Johnathon changed my life then, and he continues to change it today. He would want me to continue to share his love and his story, so that one day, other children will not have to face this fight. I pray that day comes soon.

Meet Jordan

Jordan was an extremely sweet, shy, and quiet teenage with the most beautiful smile ever that had the world in front of her.  She loved her family, cheerleading, vacations and her friends.  In February of 2004, while Jordan was in the 8th grade, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  Her diagnosis was even more difficult because she was also considered hypo-diploid, which did not hold a promising survival rate.  Jordan never gave up hope that she would overcome her leukemia, even though she went through an extremely aggressive treatment program for 20 months.  Jordan was a model patient and loved all of her doctors and nurses at the Egleston campus of Children’s Hospital of Atlanta.  Sadly, Jordan relapsed in November 2005, and passed away two weeks later.  Jordan was 15 years old when she went to her heavenly home.

 

Jordan endured her illness and treatments with amazing grace and bravery.  Our family and friends were truly blessed to have such a hero and an inspiration in our lives.  She will always be with us in our hearts and memories.  Jordan is missed every day!