September is

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

That is, until someone you know is diagnosed with cancer;

then every day of every month you are aware of childhood cancer.

Jake – age 19Osteosarcoma of the right femur – Diagnosed Oct. ‘07, and 26 cancerous nodules surgically removed from his lungs in

Aug. ‘08. Currently NED!! (No Evidence of Disease).

Sammie , 12 years oldJuly 11 1997 - Oct 9, 2009

“Children with cancer are like candles in the wind who accept the possibility that they are in danger of being extinguished by a gust of wind from nowhere

and yet, they flicker and dance to remain alive. Their brilliance challenges the darkness and dazzles those of us who watch their light.”

Alexis – age 18Diagnosed when 15 with osteosarcoma of the right femur,

currently fighting to keep her leg because of surgery complications and infections.

AlecNovember 24, 1990 – July 28, 2007

Osteosarcoma lost and he won when he went to heaven but we miss him oh so very much. He should not have had to endure

all that he did during the two years of his battle with Osteosarcoma. Our kids need help!

Matt – age 15.

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in March, 2009, and still fighting.

Gunnar, 20 years oldDiagnosed February 16, 2010

After going to health services on his college campus to check on a persistent cough, they found tumors around his lungs,

chest, and neck, and that his spleen had grown 10x its regular size. He started his first Chemotherapy treatment on February

26th for Stage III Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Gunnar has been keeping everyone posted on his progress with pictures and PET scans via Facebook, most recently

asking "so, I'm gonna lose all my hair soon, any suggestions on a haircut in the meantime?"  The most common answer is

skullet.

Vince, age 13

Diagnosed September 5 2008 at age 11; still fighting.

Maeve, age 16Just months out of treatment in the fall of 2010, she just got reports of clean scans on her first 3 month checkup!!! Scans

will continue periodically for years to come.

David – diagnosed 10/18/07 at age 13.

Mike, 25 years old

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May, 2007, Mike has had two lung surgeries, followed by infections, and now had to drop out of a clinical trial when new metastases appeared in his

lung. His battle continues.

Todd, age 32 - Diagnosed April 13, 2004Todd was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right arm at age 26, and the cancer spread to his lungs a year later.  He has

endured non-stop chemo for 6 years, limb-salvage &  3 lung surgeries, and 2 types of radiation, but the cancer keeps growing. It is now incredibly painful and prevents him from doing many normal tasks.  Todd is on a clinical trial now, but there are no more treatment options if it does not work.  Funding to find a cure for rare cancers is needed NOW!

Lindsey – diagnosed in 2006 at age 11November 14, 1994 – March 23, 2010

On her way to surgery for her 3rd thorocotomy, mom & dad asked her how she stayed so calm and brave. Her reply: “Bravery is not without fear".

She was so brave for 4 years.

Frankie, age 17

Diagnosed September 14, 2000 at 7 years oldCurrently NED!!!

JameyDiagnosed in September, 2005, at age 22

January 19, 1983 -  February 6, 2007

Ty and his mom. Ty was diagnosed 9/11/08 at age 13, and had his leg amputated

above the knee months later. He is currently cancer free, but each checkup brings new worries. Ty & mom shaved their heads to raise

money for cancer research.

Tracy, 26 

Diagnosed on March 15, 2004 at 20 years old

Taylor – diagnosed September, 2006After being cancer free for 18 months following her first treatments,

she relapsed in September, 2008. Her fight continues.

Nicholas William R., 'Nickadeamous' May 23rd, 1990 - March 5th 2010 at 10:10 pm

Nick earned his wings, after a courageous 4 year fight with cancer.

Brendan, age 18Diagnosed March 22, 2006

Shannon was just 26 with a 3 month old daughter when she was diagnosed in 1995. Now she’s a “Mommy Angel”, taking care of all the youngsters in heaven who used to have osteosarcoma and other childhood cancers.

Michael E.September 11, 1989 - August 20, 2009

“With tearful eyes we watched you, as we saw you pass away.Although we loved you deeply, we could not make you stay.

Your Golden Heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.”

Dan K.March 29, 1989 – December 12, 2009

Dan wrote on his Facebook page - “Plan as if you'll live forever.

Live as if you'll die tomorrow.”

         One in every 330 children in the United States develops cancer before the age of nineteen. The incidence of cancer among children is increasing. 

 

         12,400 children (in the United States) are diagnosed with cancer each year. 

 

         Currently there are between 30-40,000 children being treated for cancer in the United States. 

         In the U.S. almost 3000 children die from cancer each year, more than from asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined.  Cancer is the number one disease killer of children next to accidents.

 

         In the past 20 years only one new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.