Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Meet Joseph

In November of 2007, when Joseph (or Joe P., as he introduces himself) was just over 3 years old, his parents started noticing his head was tilted to one side and his left eye was not moving quite like his right one. They took him to the emergency room for an MRI, where they received the earth-shattering news that he had a brain tumor. He had surgery a few days later, where they removed about one-third of the tumor, and from the biopsy they found out it was a grade 3 astrocytoma. They later found out at St. Jude’s that it was actually a grade 4 astrocytoma called Glioblastoma Multiforme in his cerebellum and brain stem. He underwent a second surgery at St. Jude’s where they were able to remove most of the rest of the tumor, and Joseph slowly learned to walk again and regain his buoyant personality.

He also went through 6 weeks of radiation and takes a new drug called Tarceva to try to keep the tumor from growing back. His first scan showed that the radiation worked really well and the tumor shrunk to be very small; however, Joseph eventually lost his battle with cancer. He passed away the day after his fourth birthday on August 21, 2008. Joseph is greatly missed, but his family friends are so thankful for the time they had with him.

Meet Josh

Josh is a 16 year old who has survived cancer and is now in the 10th grade. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 8. He went through a long hard battle of dangerous chemotherapy, two surgeries, stem cell transplant, radiation, and experimental monoclonal antibody treatments in New York City. He also had doses of accutane, a drug which is supposed to help kill fast growing cells for acne but is used on some cancer patients because cancer can be a fast growing cell.

While going through his treatments, Josh would face his fear by writing poems about his treatments, his doctors and his nurses. He was an inspiration to all throughout his journey and gives others great hope. As painful as some of the therapies were, he wanted to continue to do all he could, in hopes the cancer would not return.

He has been in remission now for seven years. Josh realized he wanted to help others brave the storm he had gone through. So, he is very active in his own community in spreading awareness about childhood cancer and the need for others to help join in the Rally to raise funds for this cause. He knows there will not be a cure for childhood cancer unless more money is given for research.

Meet Kennedy Grace

Fun-loving, determined and adorable three year old Kennedy Grace, also known as KG, began complaining that her legs hurt.  Then she started running a fever.  Her blood work revealed that she has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) the most common childhood cancer on April 27, 2007.  Three days later, she began chemotherapy treatment that will last for the next two years.

KG loves school, playing with her dolls and stuffed animals, swimming, and dancing. 

Meet Khalid

At the beginning of March, 2008, Khalid stopped jumping, playing and smiling and began to just lie around. He was taken to the doctor and they immediately sent him to the ER. At first doctors thought that his system was just a little backed up, but a week later Khalid returned to the hospital. A CT scan on March 26 showed he had a very large mass in his abdomen accompanied with disease in his bone and around his orbital bone.

He was biopsied on the 27th and began chemotherapy on the 28th. He has had 5 rounds of chemotherapy, is in the process of seeing if the tumor can be ressected, has one more chemo treatment to go and will have a Stem Cell rescue later this year. Since starting treatment, Khalid has been back to his old self, if not more active than before. He has 8 brothers and sisters he loves to play with. He loves Dora the Explorer, the number four and riding his bike.

Meet Kristen

Kristen was born in Georgia in June 2003, much to the excitement of her parents and 5 year old brother. In March of 2007, their lives suddenly changed when Kristen’s parents noticed some bruising and red spots (petechiae) that sent them to the pediatrician. After blood work results, it was confirmed that she had pre B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Aside from the few bruises, you would never have known anything was wrong with her. She was immediately admitted to the hospital, and after blood and platelet transfusions, a port was placed in her chest 2 days later for her chemo treatments. Kristen has been remarkably brave and strong through all of the chemo, steroids, shots, and oral medications. Her maintenance phase began in November of 2007 and she will continue on this path until June 2009.

Meet Krystle

Krystle has always truly loved life, others, and herself. She loves to sing and can always be found doing something funny or crazy. She has fun no matter what ñ never worrying about what others might think of her. As a child, this animal lover had many pets, some of which lived outside so that her parents wouldn"t know about them! When she was six, she moved in with her grandparents. Life was going great, she was healthy and loved school.

Around the time that high school started, she slowly started to feel sick all the time, and her eye became severely swollen before she started tenth grade. Her doctor ran some tests and then sent her to the children’s hospital because he could tell there was something behind her eye. On what was supposed to be the first day of tenth grade, Krystle had surgery to remove the large tumor behind her eye. A few days later, she and her family were told that the tumor was cancerous, and she was diagnosed with diffuse large B- cell lymphoma.

After a year of chemo and many infections, Krystle found out that her cancer had returned. She then underwent more chemo before having a bone marrow transplant. Soon after the transplant, a mass showed up in her right breast, which was another return of the lymphoma. Krystle remains on chemotherapy and is hopeful that she will soon beat this disease once and for all! After missing two years of high school, she has returned to the tenth grade, where she has made many friends and loves being back in the high school chorus.

Meet Kyle

Kyle was such a happy baby and little boy. His favorite things were Barney, Elmo and the color purple - there was no other color as far as he was concerned! He would notice anyone wearing purple in a crowd and would find purple in everything around us! But most of all, Kyle loved cuddling with Mommy and hugging and kissing his little brother Collin. He was an incredibly loving big brother and couldn’t get enough of “his baby”. His favorite things to do were blowing bubbles, feeding the ducks, taking a bus to the mall, riding his tricycle, watching sunsets and sunrises, and best of all, visiting with family. Kyle always wanted to be a fireman, along with his little brother, when he grew up.

In 1992, Kyle was diagnosed with Leukemia and fought cancer for 5 ½ months. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. However, after a most courageous and incredible fight, Kyle lost his battle with battle. His mom writes, “Our hearts have been broken ever since. There was far more to his short life than just cancer.”

Meet Kylie

Kylie was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and endured chemotherapy, radiation, chemotherapy and an experimental antibody treatment in New York City. Currently, she is disease free.

Kylie is a six year old that loves the show Dora the Explorer and Diego. She also loves to explore new places with her own friends. Besides being a big fan of stealing kisses from her mom and dad, she also loves playing with her little brother.

Meet Lauren

Lauren was diagnosed at age 14 with Hypothalamic Hystiocytosis-X, which was found on the brain. She played basketball, softball and was involved in many academic clubs.  While in 8th grade, Lauren underwent brain surgery followed by 15 months of chemotherapy.  Lauren’s last chemotherapy was May 14, 2002 during her freshman year of high school.

Currently, Lauren is attending Piedmont College, where she is pursuing a degree in education.  Her plans are to become a hospital homebound teacher or to be the main school teachers in one of the children’s hospital’s cancer clinics. She loves to play golf and loves spending time with her family and friends.  She loves to be an advocate for childhood cancer and looks forward to working with children in the future.

Meet Leigh

Leigh was diagnosed with cancer in her bones when she was 17. She was a varsity cross country runner for her high school, and ran six miles the morning she was diagnosed. She had her primary tumor removed from her leg bone and was unable to walk for seven months. Leigh received a total of 15 rounds of chemotherapy and many surgeries to remove all 36 tumors from her chest; nevertheless, she persevered and went into remission in May 2005. She astonished everyone when she ran the region cross country meet with all of her teammates just one month after she began to walk again.

Leigh currently attends Liberty University and plans to become a nurse because of the profound impact her oncology nurses made on her life. She knows the only way to help defeat cancer is to research it. She looks forward to the day when no one has to suffer from this disease.

Meet Logan

Logan was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, a Craniopharyngioma, on July 29, 2007. After four surgeries and 31 radiation treatments, the tumor is gone; however, Logan is now legally blind, left only with a small amount of tunnel vision in his right eye. The location of this tumor makes it a life-long condition because of the hormonal deficiencies, vision loss, obesity, and social and psychological issues.

He will be on several medications for the rest of his life, and while these medications are critical, they fix some problems and can cause others. The radiation he received can cause malignancies in his brain in the future. The growth hormones that he will need due to the side effects of his brain tumor treatments can cause the tumor to grow back. A return of the tumor could take the rest of his vision.

In spite of all this, Logan just began middle school and loves all of the subjects and all of his teachers. He enjoys Taekwondo and Goalball, a sport for the visually impaired. He loves doing word puzzles and building Legos. Although he and his younger brother have rougher moments post-brain tumor, they love each other very much and are great supporters of one another. Logan is a hard worker, determined, and optimistic.

Meet Madie

In March 2003, Madie was a very sick four- year-old girl. She could barely walk, had nightmares every night, and was covered from head to toe in black and blue bruises that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The fourth trip back to the doctor with high fevers over 104, lung congestion and back pain was not going well. The blood work that her pediatrician took was extremely abnormal, and we took the first of many trips up to our children’s hospital.

That night, we got the terrible news that Madie had cancer along with an enlarged liver, pneumonia in both lungs and a raging ear infection. She had a blood cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and because she had stopped making red blood cells and platelets a few days earlier, she most likely would have died that night at home in her sleep. Madie started chemo along with blood transfusions and twice-daily platelet transfusions, but she had to wait two days for any surgery for her port and bone marrow tests because of her low platelet counts and pneumonia. The second day at the hospital, the doctor told me that Madie was dying, but they were doing everything they could to stop that from happening.

After two years and three months of chemo, along with over three dozen blood/platelet transfusions and numerous spinal taps, hip pokes, bone scans, CT scans and five hospital stays with a few extremely “close calls”, Madie is now cancer free! She quietly struggles each day with late-effects from the chemo, but that doesn"t stop her. When you look at Madie today, you will see a vibrant, animated 10-year-old girl who loves to collect Webkinz, swim, and play softball. Her happiness is contagious.

Meet Margaret

After being sick with what we thought was a virus, Margaret was diagnosed October 9, 2007 with Leukemia. Her only symptoms were fever, neck and back pain.  We are blessed she has ALL, the type of Leukemia that is more easily treated and cured!  So far, all of her test results are very encouraging and she is responding to her treatments.

From October 2007 through June 2008, Margaret received weekly IV chemotherapy, numerous lumbar punctures, and bone marrow aspirations, and she spent many nights in the hospital.  In July, Margaret began the “maintenance phase” of her treatment which will last another year and a half. This entails IV chemotherapy only once a month, along with oral chemotherapy at home.  After eight months of feeling terrible, she is now regaining her strength and mobility daily, and is back to doing her favorite thing - riding horses.

Meet Martin

Martin was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, in July 1998.  He went through the chemo and radiation protocol and was free of cancer until April of 2003.  Recurrence in his spine resulted in surgery, more chemo, radiation, and a stem cell transplant that summer.  He was recovering well, when the return of his brain tumor was found in October 2004.  Spine tumors were found in early 2005.  Martin has tried a variety of chemo treatments and is currently pursuing alternative medicine options.  In February 2008 he was diagnosed with AML leukemia, most likely a side effect of his chemo and radiation treatments.

Martin received an Achievement Award for being the top 10th grader in his school’s Junior ROTC program. He also enjoys building things in his engineering class and woodworking at home. He likes spending time with his family and friends, and looks forward to again being able to ride his three-wheel bike around his neighborhood. Martin has been fighting cancer for a long time and continues his fight for a cure!

Meet Mary Grace

Mary Grace loves t-ball, gymnastics and EVERYTHING about camping!  She is an energetic and fun loving child that was diagnosed with a stage IV germ cell tumor when she was 26 months old. (Aug 2004) The main tumor was located in her spine and extended to her liver and lungs.  Due to the location of the tumor, she completed chemotherapy and 23 radiation treatments before she had surgery to remove the remaining tumor in her spine. She is now in remission and continues to have “checkups” every 6 months to monitor her health.

“Opening day of baseball season was extra special this year,” says Mary Grace’s mom, D.D. “According to the “statistics”, Mary Grace should not be able to walk right now.  When she did walk up to home plate, I thought my heart was going to overflow with excitement! However, when she RAN to first base with a giant smile on her faceÖwell, there just isn"t enough money in the world to buy that feeling!”  Thank you for supporting Rally Foundation!

Meet Matt

Matt loved football and played with the same team since the 5th grade. His sophomore year at Pope High School, Matt earned a Varsity Letter as Defensive End and was working hard to achieve his dream of playing collegiate football. When Matt was 16, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. After seven rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and 28 radiation treatments, Matt returned home cancer-free to join his football team for his senior year. He was back on the field for the early season scrimmages, and when he took the field the whole crowd chanted, “Go, Matt, Go!” Unfortunately, Matt’s cancer returned, and he was unable to finish the season.

Matt enrolled in a clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD where he underwent a donor stem cell transplant. Matt’s dad was the perfect match. Matt applied the same toughness and determination from the field to his battle with cancer. His teammates came up with the motto “STAND TOUGH” which he did throughout his entire battle with cancer. Matt died on May 30, 2006 surrounded by his loving family.

Meet Matthew

Matthew was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a solid tumor in his bladder, on January 17, 2007. He awoke from a nap one afternoon in pain and said he could not pee. An ultrasound revealed a possible sarcoma and a biopsy confirmed that it was rhabdomyosarcoma. He recently went to Mass General in Boston for proton radiation treatments and has now resumed his chemotherapy treatments at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where he began his battle.

Matthew loves Star Wars Legos, splashing in the pool, and playing light sabers with his three older brothers David, Stephen and Jonathan. His favorite food is a plain McDonald’s double cheeseburger (hold the cheese). His family loves to hear him sing “I Belong to Jesus” and see him enjoying life.

Meet Merrill

Merrill, now 15, was diagnosed with Leukemia in April of 2004. She had lots of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. How fortunate that her own dad was her donor!

For the past 4 years, Merrill has been active in athletics, school activities, driving her brother and sister crazy and is really just busy being a normal teenager. Unfortunately, however, she has relapsed again, combo AML/ALL with tumors in her chest. She is currently undergoing radiation treatments. Inspired by her amazing care, Merrill hopes to one day become a pediatric oncology nurse.

Meet Mckinley

Mckinley is a fun loving and spunky child that was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 18 months old. Since then she has been a brave and strong little girl undergoing a year and a half of chemotherapy. She is now in remission but will not complete her cancer treatment until this summer. Mckinely loves to spend time playing with her little brother Woods, and her big sister Brooke. She also enjoys dancing like a ballerina, dressing up as Cinderella, and going to music class. Her favorite color is purple, and every night she likes to sleep with her purple unicorn.

Mckinley’s mom, Shawn, asks, “Please help support Rally Foundation so children like Mckinley will continue to survive and the children to come will have a fighting chance. It’s my prayer that in my life time we will see dramatic results and cures for all childhood cancer!”

Meet Mitchell

Mitchell was diagnosed with leukemia when he was three.  He started chemotherapy immediately and all was going according to his protocol until he relapsed with leukemia cells in his central nervous system fluid. Mitchell’s chemotherapy treatments increased significantly, including 20 hospitalizations in 13 months followed by cranial radiation and another year of chemotherapy.

After more than fours years of treatment, Mitchell completed the relapse protocol in February 2006 and is in remission!  He still has to undergo monthly check ups but otherwise Mitchell can be found enjoying Cub Scouts, swimming, basketball, riding his scooter and, of course, video games!

Meet Nicholas

Nicholas was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Valentine’s Day 2008 at the age of three. His diagnosis was devastating to his family, but he has amazed everyone with how well he has done in his treatment so far. He loves Thomas the Train, Sponge Bob, and trucks. His new love is boxing!

Nicholas lives in Pennsylvania with his Mommy, Daddy, and dog Chase. His Mom shares, “He will finish treatment in April 2011, and we pray that the rest of his treatment goes as well as it has so far. He is the strongest and most courageous boy we know.”

Meet Parker

Parker is a little boy filled with spunk, smiles, and a zest for life. In June of 2006, at the age of 4, Parker was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. He quickly went from sliding down a waterslide one day to spending the next day in the hospital being told to be ready for the fight of his life. Not only did he have a softball-sized tumor in his abdomen at the time of his diagnosis, he also had cancer in his bones and bone marrow. Parker underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, and two stem cell transplants.

He took localized radiation to his belly, the original site of the tumor, and he endured accutane therapy. Parker was truly an angel sent from above to teach us all a lesson of wisdom, showing us the courage and strength to move on, fight and persevere through this trying time. One glance of his smile and the twinkle in his eye was enough to light up the room, and through it all, he remained such a bright shining star. In November 2007, the disease eventually took over his body, and his reward for the brave battle was angel wings in heaven. Parker touched so many lives in a short 6 years of life. Although he is not physically here with us today, he has left his amazing spirit within us

Meet Peyton

Peyton was a normal two and half year old until the day she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. July 13, 2006 was the day that changed our lives forever.

She has bravely battled this cancer with every fiber of her being, never losing her spirit, always inspiring us with her smile. Peyton was diagnosed as a high-risk case as she was positive for Leukemia in her spinal fluid, and her treatment has been long and harsh. She is a joyful child who has never lost her smile, her incredible zest for life and she would not be here today if not for research that enabled her to have a treatment plan. We are thankful for the many who gave her the tools with which she continues to wage war on cancer.

Meet Rachel

Rachel was born on April 21, 1995, the fifth of six children. Rachel was a wonderful baby and delightful child. She loved all things fit for a “Princess” and dressed for tea all the time. On December 6, 1998 she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She bravely fought the battle with chemotherapy and radiation. She also endured two stem cell transplants. Rachel made friends where ever she went, especially during her cancer treatments in New York City and Northern Virginia.

Her wish was to be a Flower Girl. Since there were no weddings to be found, she asked her Mommy and Daddy to get married again so she could be their flower girl. Rachel ran the whole wedding program as her parents renewed their vows. There wasn"t a dry eye in the church as Rachel’s wish came true by walking down the aisle in her beautiful dress. Rachel’s mom, Meg shares “She continues to bless us here on earth with her Heavenly Presence. She was an incredible gift from God. Sadly for us, God needed her back and she left us on July 3, 2001.”

Meet Russell

Russell was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a brain tumor, in April 2008. The first step in treatment was surgery to remove as much tumor as possible. He’s currently going through four rounds of very aggressive chemotherapy. He will then start six weeks of daily radiation therapy.

Russell enjoys many activities including running, football and playing the drums, but one of his favorites has been cycling over the years. Back in 2006 Russell’s cycling team, Frazier Cycling, helped Rally Across America raise money for childhood cancer research. Russell was the first kid to turn in a donation.

While Russell loves to ride and race on his bike, he and so many other kids are enduring a bigger and more challenging race that test the body and mind to the extreme, a race with cancer.

Meet Ryan

Ryan is a 10-year-old boy who loves soccer, swimming, and believe it or not, snow skiing. He loves dressing up in costumes, especially scary ones. He loves Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Sponge Bob! He has a huge imagination and is a very funny kid.

Ryan was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and endured chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and tandem stem-cell transplants. He completed treatment and is now doing well.

Meet Ryder

Mother’s Day babies, Ryder and her twin sister were two peas in a pod until a tumor separated them. Just four months shy of her second birthday, Ryder was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery and months of recovery in ICU would follow, keeping Ryder away from home. Ryder had lost everything following her surgery. She would have to start life all over again.

After more than a year of chemotherapy and numerous other therapies to help her relearn everything, Ryder is here today. Now eight years old, the peas are together again. Ryder and her sister can be seen flitting about mimicking ballet steps, or found plopped on their toy car mat lining up cars to face the traffic, or believe it or not, taking their “babies” of all places, to the doctor.

The road has been long, with a few bumps along the way that may never recede for Ryder. However, her contagious giggle and determination to catch up for lost time keep all who know her pushing forward. Ryder’s mom, Joanna, states “Hope is in the future—the research, the prevention, and ultimately a cure. We should all ban together like peas in our own pod and rally this research on for children everywhere.”

Meet Sam

When Sam was about 6 years old, he started getting sick a lot. The symptoms were much like a stomach virus, but the episodes became more frequent. By the summer of 2006, when Sam was 10, he began complaining of lower back pain. Since he was playing little league baseball, everyone assumed the pain was caused from a pulled muscle. Then in July of that year, Sam developed a low grade fever and a dry cough. He began taking antibiotics, but after a week he was worse and could not get a deep breath. A CT scan was ordered and a large mass was discovered on the right side of Sam’s chest, compressing his lung to half its capacity.

On August 8, 2006 he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Because of Sam?s age (neuroblastoma has a better cure rate in younger children) and the fact that his disease had spread to several lymph nodes, he was classified as Stage IV, high risk. The good news was that the disease had not invaded Sam’s bone marrow, and there were no metastases in his bones. Sam began chemotherapy immediately and three months later the tumor had shrunk enough that surgeons were able to remove about 95% of the mass. Sam continued taking chemotherapy for six more months, and then had 20 rounds of radiation. Although he has never had clear scans, he is considered stable and was able to return to school. Sam loves to play baseball, and although he may be the smallest player on the team, his coach said if he could put Sam’s determination and winning attitude in all his players, he would have an unbeatable team!

Meet Samuel

Samuel was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma on September 5, 2007 at the age of 16 months. His diagnosis came as quite a shock to his family because he had shown no signs of symptoms until he suddenly became very ill. His first round of chemo made him extremely ill, so he was flown to another children’s hospital much farther from home. Samuel slept through his very first plane ride! After recovering, he received radiation and then a second round of chemotherapy. This additional round of chemo made his kidneys shut down and he spent over a month in the hospital on dialysis. Samuel is a fighter though, and eventually recovered. Samuel had surgery to remove his tumor on December 31, 2007 and was able to begin 2008 cancer free!

Because of the toll that chemo took on Samuel’s little body he was not able to have all of the treatments he should have had. No one knows what the future holds, but Samuel’s family is trusting that God has healed him of neuroblastoma forever! Today Samuel loves playing with his seven brothers and sisters, going on wagon rides, singing, and going to church.

Meet Savannah

Savannah is an incredible girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor called Medulloblastoma on February 10, 2005. She has had three brain surgeries, many months of chemotherapy, 31 radiation treatments and spent more than 150 nights in the hospital in 2005 alone!

Savannah’s tumor was quite large and nasty but never destroyed her spirit or fierce determination. The aggressive surgery to remove the tumor left her with left-sided body weakness, left-sided facial weakness, and a condition called cerebellar mutism. The mutism originally left Savannah unable to swallow, speak, and caused her to have bouts of irritability that were not well controlled with any medications. She has since re-learned how to sit up, eat, crawl, stand, speak, and walk! Savannah loves swimming, painting, Dora, Spongebob, and princesses. She is our hero and an inspiration to all who meet her!

Meet Sean

Sean was diagnosed with Stage 3 Neuroblastoma in September of 2003 when he was 11-months-old. Just after his first birthday, he endured a 12 hour surgery to remove the cancer from his spine, which left only a residual tumor that appears to be regressing without further treatment.

Now a happy and playful eight year old, Sean enjoys the company of his brother, three sisters, and other friends, particularly at the beach of their hometown, Cape Cod. He continues to be monitored with scans and tests for his Neuroblastoma, and with each test, Sean is showing improvement.

Meet Sean Michael

Sean was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a solid tumor in the bone above the growth plate in his left knee, on July 11, 2007. Sean first started complaining about his knee during lacrosse camp. After a few x-rays and a few more weeks of increased pain, a MRI revealed it was osteosarcoma.

Sean loves football, basketball and, especially lacrosse. His first passion, though, was any and all types of extreme sports. Thankfully, his older brother, Patrick, was involved in more conventional sports, so Sean followed him instead of Tony Hawk! To Sean, participating in any sport activity is like breathing - he must do it! Sean is also a loving, caring and compassionate young boy. He is totally unselfish whether on the basketball court or the playground. A perfect day for Sean would be playing a game or two, getting together with friends, playing with his dog Nala, eating a Philly cheesesteak, and ending the day with a big ice cream at Brewster’s.

Meet Shelby

Shelby was all girl and loved everything pink and purple. She loved puppies, kittens, and her Barbie dolls. The one girly thing she never had was long, blonde, curly hairówhich she would have loved. The chemotherapy treatment caused her hair to fall out, but her eyes seemed to sparkle even more with her beautiful bald head.

Shelby was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and died at home on October 22, 2004 at the age of five. Her amazing smile and spirit will never be forgotten.

Meet Simon

Simon was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in May 1998. After surgery, 7 high doses of chemotherapy, head and abdominal radiation, a targeted liquid radiation, 115 days of monoclonal antibodies and 6 months of accutane, Simon finally finished his treatment in August 2001. Simon remains in remission, and attends Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn, NY.

He plays tennis, is on his school soccer and baseball teams, and has performed in the school play. He is very active in pediatric cancer advocacy and fundraising,  especially with the annual Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer in Central Park, which was founded in 2001 by his sister Sophie.

Meet Stephanie

Stephanie was an athlete and a competitor. She was an all-star fast pitch softball player who loved the color pink. Not only did she battle on the softball field, but she also battled cancer for six years, beating her cancer twice but losing her final battle at the age of 18 when there was no further treatment available for her. At Stephanie’s Celebration of Life service, everyone wore pinkóeven her male cousin went out and bought a pink shirt!

“Stephanie was my baby and I miss her every minute of the day,” shares her mom.

Meet Steven

Steven was five years old when his mother discovered a mass in his upper left arm. After several visits to specialists and surgery, Steven was diagnosed with a Neurogenic Sarcoma attached to the Schwann nerve.  Doctors determined that another surgery was needed to remove a diseased nerve and they grafted in a new nerve using nerves from both of his legs. Steven then underwent several months of radiation therapy at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.  For the next 10 years, Steven traveled from his hometown in Orlando, Florida to Gainesville for check-ups every three months.

Steven attended the University of Florida and graduated in December 2007 with a degree in history and religion. Steven realized that one of his passions is missions work.  He has traveled to Kenya four times as a missionary intern working in the urban slums of Nairobi. On one of his trips to Kenya, he met his wife, Nicole, and they married in May 2008. Steven is currently the High School Youth Director at The Vine Community Church in Cumming, Georgia and is taking seminary courses at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

Meet Taylor

Before July, 2007, Taylor was a normal teenager, looking forward to starting as a freshman at high school where she would be taking all honors and gifted classes. She is a first degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and enjoyed playing soccer and taking guitar lessons.

Taylor’s life changed radically in July of 2007 when her family noticed that her stomach was swollen. Her pediatrician sent her to the hospital where she was admitted and tests were begun. The doctors discovered there were tumors in her stomach and did a biopsy of her lymph nodes. On Friday, July 13, 2007, just before her 14th birthday, we got the news that every parent dreads hearingóTaylor had cancer. Specifically, she had Stage IV Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor cancer, a very rare type of cancer usually found in boys.

Taylor began chemotherapy treatments the day that she was diagnosed. Because her cancer is rare and funding for children’s cancer research is limited, her treatments were planned by the doctor searching for documented cases and trying these regimens to see if they delivered positive results. Taylor relapsed in early 2008, and she lost her battle with cancer and won a place in heaven just after 3AM on April 1, 2008 in the arms of her family.

Taylor went to school everyday she was not in treatment, and she acted as team manager for her high school girl’s varsity soccer team. She also served in her community by volunteering at an International Karate Competition and being a poster child for a blood drive. Taylor also wanted to make a difference for the cancer patients at the hospital where she was treated. In addition to raising money for new technology, she also organized a holiday party for the patients and families.

Meet Trey

Trey was diagnosed at the end of March 2007 just after his third birthday with Neuroblastoma, stage 4. There was a large tumor at the top of his adrenal gland that almost filled his abdominal cavity. There were other tumors along his spinal column reaching into his chest. His bone marrow has been compromised by the cancer as well.

Thus far, his treatments have reduced the largest tumor by about half, other tumors are no longer visible on the scans, and results of his bone marrow are forthcoming. Depending on the future effects of the chemotherapy on the remaining cancer, he should have two bone marrow transplants starting in the late summer and continuing through fall. Trey may need surgery or radiation, or both, to completely eradicate the largest tumor. This could be required prior to the bone marrow transplants and result in a push-out of the dates for those procedures.

Even though this is an extremely difficult time, Trey has an amazing attitude and keeps us smiling. He even started laughing when his hair started falling out because it fell into his cereal! He enjoys playing with his Thomas trains and is pretty good at Monopoly Jr. and Crazy Eights. Trey’s latest accomplishment is becoming a junior Jedi Knight after getting a light saber!