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Gold Ribbon Hero Michele B

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Gold Ribbon Hero Michele B

Posted on June 15, 2016 by ACCO

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: On July 26, 2013, my daughter Michele Broadley was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Her diagnosis was  two weeks before her 21st birthday. She was entering her senior year of college at the University of Connecticut at this time. Within one month of her diagnosis, she had fertility shots, her eggs extracted and frozen in case of infertility, had an IV port surgically placed and started the first chemotherapy regimen. She also had 6 weeks of daily radiation during her chemo treatments. This first chemo regimen was for a duration of 10.5 months and she lost all of her hair for the first time. Michele had to decrease her college credit hours to part-time and postpone her college graduation from May 2014 to May 2015. She would not let the cancer stop her from achieving her goals or bring her down. In May 2014, she was deemed cancer-free and her IV Port was surgically removed. In September 2014, the celebrations were short lived when her 3 month scans showed metastasis to both of her lungs. She then had a right lung resection surgery to remove one of the lung nodules for tumor testing. It was tested and it was the RMS that had spread to her lungs. She then needed another IV Port surgically placed & she immediately started her second chemotherapy regimen for the duration of 8.5 months. All the while she stayed on track to graduate from UCONN with her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Women’s Studies. In May 2015, she graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors from UCONN. This was a huge accomplishment all the while continuing with the chemo treatments until July 2015. When this second chemo regimen was completed, there were still tumors in her lungs. In September 2015, she started the third chemotherapy regimen and after 8 weeks it did not work. That was discontinued and the fourth chemo regimen was started in November of 2015. After 8 weeks, the fourth chemo also did not work & Michele lost her hair for the second time in two years. In the fall of 2015, she started part-time non-matriculated graduate courses while waiting for her acceptance to the Masters in Social Work Graduate Studies Program at Southern Connecticut State University. In January 2016, she had two weeks of daily radiation to her right lung & after that was completed she started the fifth chemo regimen, which is actually working to shrink the lung tumors. She’s continuing the fifth chemo and having a PET Scan next month. In April 2016, she was officially accepted into the Graduate Studies Program at SCSU. She continues to keep a positive outlook on life, her goals motivate her and she takes nothing for granted. She is my hero and I’m extremely proud to call her my daughter. She deserves a huge acknowledgement for her perseverance in consistently moving forward even with her medical challenges. She is my gold ribbon hero. I love her with all my heart.” – Valeria B

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Gold Ribbon Hero Xena R

Posted on June 14, 2016 by ACCO

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Xena The Warrior Princess was diagnosed with AT/RT in January of 2015. She had a total resection of the tumor of the cerebellum of her brain on January the 15th. She went under many test to prepare her for what was ahead. She began her first round of chemotherapy on February 11th. She experienced an allergic reaction to one of the chemotherapy medications but she did not let this get her down. She pushed through and completed the second round of  chemotherapy. She began proton beam radiation on April 13 and had twenty seven rounds ending on May 20th. She breezed through. She then under went many test to prepare  for last but most three aggressive rounds of chemotherapy. She was admitted on June the eleventh had chemo on the twelfth and thirteenth . Rest day on the fourteenth. On the fourteenth she will be receiving a stem cell infusion. After this she has two rounds exactly the same left. Through this all she has remained strong, cheerful and never let anything her her down. She has taught me how to remain strong.” – Danielle W

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Golden Ribbon Hero Lance’s Story

Posted on June 14, 2016 by ACCO

imageCongratulations to Lance on his Graduation from High School

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lance R. on his graduation from high school this month! A major accomplish in the life of many teens, for Lance, this month’s graduation ceremony was especially meaningful. Lance spent a year and a half battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Now, after months of difficult chemotherapy and two major surgeries, Lance has achieved his goals of beating cancer AND graduating with honors! He is looking forward to heading off to college, choosing a major, and continuing to pursue his love of music on the guitar and drums.

Congratulations, Lance! We wish you the very best as you face the next phase of your life with confidence!

Lance’s Story

13153309_10206320761639889_906870231_n (1)Lance’s cancer journey began when he was 16. What started as minor leg pain continued to grow stronger and more focused in the left knee until, after an unexpected fall, he was no longer able to move or bend the left knee without pain. After an x-ray and MRI, he received the dreadful news in October 2014: the tests showed a tumor on the left distal femur, the bottom end of the thigh bone, just above where it meets the knee joint.

Lance began chemotherapy with a fairly standard “MAP” treatment, a powerful drug cocktail of high-dose methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, tailored to slow the tumor’s growth and prevent it from spreading. By January 2015, Lance’s doctors were encouraged—the tumor in his left leg had shrunk, and four small lesions in his lungs had disappeared—yet Lance’s treatment was by no means finished. The second phase of his treatment required surgical removal of the tumor, the affected bone and knee joint, and replacement of the bone and joint with an internal prosthetic knee (limb-saving surgery—LSS).

Unfortunately, no cancer journey is ever straight-forward and Lance’s journey was no exception. The high dosages of toxic chemotherapy drugs required to fight the cancer led to serious heart problems and an alternative drug combination had to be found for the final two rounds of chemotherapy in July 2015. In February 2016, he underwent revision surgery to correct his prosthetic knee to ensure that it kept up with his rapid growth. He faced months of difficult rehabilitation therapy to, literally, learn how to walk again on the new leg bone and knee joint. Yet throughout it all, Lance’s mother Sharon proudly notes that he never gave up!

Cancer in Teens and Young Adults

Lance’s story is important because it shows us a different face of childhood cancer: the face of adolescence. The face chosen to represent childhood cancer is often that of a young child. Yet so-called “childhood cancer” also affects teens and young adults; osteosarcoma, for instance, makes up about 2% of all childhood cancers and usually (although not always) develops between the ages of 10 and 30. And treating cancer in teens and young adults presents different physical and emotional challenges than younger children. For instance, teenagers often want to be treated as adults and resent and potentially even resist treatment in pediatric-focused oncology centers. Yet because the cancers they face are very different than adult cancers, effective treatment requires expertise in pediatric oncology. Some hospitals have responded to this challenge by creating separate wings within the pediatric department geared specifically for adolescents and young adults.

Cancer diagnosis and required treatment also makes coping with the physical and emotional difficulties of adolescence even more difficult. After all, the hormonal, physical, and emotional changes associated with puberty can be traumatic enough without the additional feeling that your body has “turned against you” or “betrayed you” from the inside. Common side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss and weight gain, can make it especially difficult for adolescents to take pride in their appearance, while long hospital stays and enforced absence from school and social activities can make it nearly impossible for a teen battling cancer to feel connected to their friends and peers. Even things that may seem minor to an adult—like not being able to practice driving, as noted by Lance in a January 2015 YouTube video—can exacerbate the feeling of isolation that can be so problematic for many teens.

Yet Lance’s story also shows us that even with all the emotional turmoil and physical hardship that childhood cancer can have for a teenager, courage, determination, and a fighting spirit can overcome so many obstacles. As Lance graduates this month and looks forward to life in college and beyond, he and his mother hope that Lance’s story can show other families facing a similar journey the importance of staying focused and positive, and above all, never, ever giving up!

About the American Childhood Cancer Organization

The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship. Internationally, the ACCO is the sole US member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world. Here in the United States, the ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  And most importantly, the ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for children fighting cancer and their families, empowering them in their understanding of childhood cancer and the medical decisions they must make during this difficult journey. All of ACCO’s resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

For additional information about childhood cancer or on the ACCO, or to order resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org.

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Gold Ribbon Hero Luke N

Posted on June 9, 2016 by ACCO

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Luke may be just 3 years old but his strength and courage at fighting Neuroblastoma has amazed and astounded us. He seeks out and befriends any other little kids he can find with cancer to be a friend and buddy to and to give a hug to. He is fighting for his life but is only concerned about showing love to others. He is a true hero!” – Mia N.

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More about Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancers:

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

Gold Ribbon Hero Baylee M

Posted on June 6, 2016 by ACCO

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Baylee has stage 4 Neuroblastoma and was diagnosed at 3.5 which is the average age of stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She is a hero because she smiles through the treatments and has a heart to help others. She has donated toys to the childlife center and the playroom at the Ronald McDonald house! When she grows up she wants to be a baker and a doctor. She is currently undergoing her first of a tandem stem cell transplant.” – Stephanie M.

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More about Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancers:

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

 

Gold Ribbon Hero Lauren’s Story: DIPG

Posted on May 27, 2016 by ACCO

Lauren Hill’s Story

Lauren_Hill_basketballMay is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. As this month of important awareness and advocacy activities draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of the most devastating forms of childhood cancer—Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)—by sharing the well-known story of Lauren Hill, a high school basketball player who was diagnosed with this deadly form of brain cancer at 18, during her senior year of high school.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, is a highly aggressive brain tumor that develops within the brain’s glial tissues, which support and protect the brain’s neurons. The cancerous cells become interwoven with healthy cells in the area of the brainstem known as the pons, which is responsible for our body’s most basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. DIPG does not respond to chemotherapy and radiation, today’s standard tools in the battle against most forms of cancer. Because of its diffuse nature and location within the brainstem, it is inoperable. And its long-term survival rate is effectively zero; about half of all children diagnosed with DIPG will die within nine months of diagnosis.

A DIPG Ambassador

Lauren Hill was one of approximately 300 children diagnosed with DIPG in 2014. During the short time she battled with this deadly form of brain cancer, she gave this rare disease a public voice and a national face. Unfortunately, DIPG only develops in children, usually between the ages of five and nine, children who are too young to bring attention to their fight. Despite knowing that she probably had only months to live after her diagnosis, Lauren used that time to raise public awareness about this rare cancer and to highlight the critical need for more research into new and different treatment mechanisms.

Lauren Hill: One More Game

Lauren was diagnosed with DIPG after her high school basketball coach noticed that despite being one of the hardest working and most skilled players on the team, Lauren was having trouble keeping up with the game. She began falling and couldn’t catch passes with the same accuracy. Then Lauren began noticing other troubling symptoms as well, such as a tingling sensation on her right side and a numbness in her tongue. Yet despite the grim diagnosis, Lauren was committed to continuing to live her life to the fullest: she continued to play basketball on her high school team while undergoing chemotherapy. And she was determined to look forward, anticipating life as a college student at Mount St. Joseph University, where she had been recruited to play on the school’s Division III basketball team.

Unfortunately, as usual with DIPG, Lauren’s tumor did not respond to either chemotherapy or radiation, and by the beginning of her freshman year, MRIs showed that she probably did not many more months to live. Still, she continued to participate in her freshman classes, often turning in handwritten homework as use of a computer screen triggered agonizing headaches and vertigo. She continued to work towards her dream of playing in a college basketball game, even practicing left-handed lay-ups to compensate for the growing weakness in her right side. When it became clear that the team’s season opener on November 15 may come too late for Lauren, her coach obtained permission to move the game up to November 2, just so Lauren could play. Lauren played the game of her life, and at the same time used the game to bring national awareness to this devastating disease.

Lauren’s Legacy

In the six short months between her diagnosis in October 2014 and her death on April 10, 2015 at the age of 19, Lauren became a hero. Even knowing the odds against her, she never gave up her fighting spirit. She actively decided to use the time given to her to become a public voice in the fight against DIPG, knowing that most DIPG warriors are simply too young to make their voices heard. And her legacy lives on. The foundation she started continues to raise money for research towards DIPG and other forms of brain cancer and childhood cancer. But more importantly, the story of her fight and her determination serve to inspire the many other childhood cancer warriors whose battle with DIPG may not be as public, but are just as courageous and inspiring.

ACCO’s DIPG Book

DIPGACCO offers the only book in the world that is devoted to DIPG as one of our educational resources that we provide free to families currently in treatment.

For More Information on DIPG Read: Understanding the Journey, A Parent’s Guide to DIPG.

Edited by Ruth I. Hoffman, MPH, ACCO Executive Director

About the American Childhood Cancer Organization

The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship.  Internationally, the ACCO is the sole US member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world.  At the national level, the ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  At the grassroots level, the ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for families and learning resources for children in order to make the lives of children and their families easier and brighter during this difficult time.  Many of our resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

For additional information about other childhood cancer warriors, to learn more about childhood cancer and the ACCO, or to order free resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org.

Gold Ribbon Hero Nico’s Story

Posted on May 24, 2016 by ACCO

Nico’s Story

nicoWe have been asked to share the story of a very special childhood cancer warrior, Nico. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Osteosarcoma at the age of 6, Nico is in the final months of chemotherapy and is anticipating the results of several very important scans and tests that will confirm—hopefully—that he has finally beaten this disease. Throughout his treatment, Nico has shown strength and resilience beyond what we might expect from a young child, facing every new turn of events with a smile for his doctors and his family and giving inspiration to an entire community, both local and nationwide. This community now offers their hopes and prayers to Nico and his family for a successful end to this brave childhood cancer warrior’s long cancer journey!

Nico’s Cancer Journey

On April 28, 2016, Nico turned eight years old. Of course all boys love to celebrate birthdays, preferably with as much birthday cake as Mom will allow! For Nico and his family, however, this birthday is particularly special because it brings them within sight of the potential end of scheduled chemotherapy in July. And it is particularly special because, as with all childhood cancer warriors and their families, every birthday is one more victory in the fight against this terrible disease.

Nico began his cancer journey in October 2015 with the devastating diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a form of cancer in which one or more cancerous tumors begin to grow on a bone. In Nico’s case, the tumor was located on a rib bone, close to his lungs. In many cases, osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer, is diagnosed early in its development, greatly increasing the chances that treatment will be successful. In Nico’s case, however, the news was not good: Nico’s cancer was diagnosed as stage 4 osteosarcoma, meaning that the tumors had metastasized (or spread) from the original tumor location into other areas of the body. His team of oncologists located nine rapidly-growing nodules, or tumors, in his lungs. Devastated by this news, Nico’s family agreed to begin chemotherapy immediately.

After his initial round of chemotherapy, the next major milestone occurred in January, just three months after the initial diagnosis: Nico’s oncology team surgically removed the original tumor, along with four ribs, and performed thoracic surgery in the left lung to remove nodules. Chemo was on-going before and after the surgery, but in April, Nico began having seizures and doctors diagnosed a large mass in his brain. He underwent a second surgery in May to remove the mass, but unfortunately, this complication affected his mobility on his right side, and now in addition to chemo, Nico has regular therapy to overcome these mobility problems. Then, in August, a scan showed the formation of more nodules in the left lung, which were again surgically removed.

11205598_1104852616197688_1488926781192503769_nThroughout this long journey, Nico has continued to undergo both in-patient and out-patient chemotherapy to target any remaining cancerous cells and prevent the growth of more. Now, as his family begins to anticipate the end of his scheduled chemotherapy, his tests are showing positive signs: no additional nodules have formed and some remaining lesions in the lung have shrunk. In fact, Nico’s doctors believe that the suspicious lesions may be residual scar tissue from the two prior surgeries.

The Waiting Game

The final months and weeks of cancer treatment can be a challenging time for families. Parents, siblings, and the patients themselves are excited at the prospect of a “normal” life, yet it’s also a time of high anxiety, especially for parents, as they anticipate what the next bump in the road might look like. As Nico’s Mom states, “I am now grilling the doctors with endless questions about [the] post-treatment process, prognosis, side effects…a good place to be but I may be driving them nuts!”

Mostly, this phase of treatment is about waiting, hoping, and praying. Waiting for the final tests to show that the last of the cancer cells have finally disappeared from Nico’s young body. Waiting for that one last test to make sure, really sure, that those shadows really are just scar tissue and not more cancer nodules. Waiting for the next follow-up visit to make sure, really really sure, that the cancer has not returned.

Yet throughout his journey, and in this final stage of waiting, Nico’s amazing and positive attitude has never wavered. He has shown his family and his community just how strong, just how brave, one small boy can be. Nico and his family hope that you will wait with them, offering them your ongoing prayers, best wishes, and support, as they face this phase of the cancer journey with the same strength and determination that has seen them through their journey thus far.

If you would like to follow Nico’s journey and show his family your support, we encourage you to visit the Team Nico Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/Team-NICO-987643321251952/timeline

About the American Childhood Cancer Organization

The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship.  Internationally, the ACCO is the sole US member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world.  At the national level, the ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  At the grassroots level, the ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for families and learning resources for children in order to make the lives of children and their families easier and brighter during this difficult time.  Many of our resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

For additional information about other childhood cancer warriors, to learn more about childhood cancer and the ACCO, or to order free resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org.

LIGHT UP HOPE – LIGHT IT UP GOLD!

Posted on May 23, 2016 by ACCO
Join Us to GO GOLD for Kids With Cancer®! International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, September 1-30, 2016, is coming up fast and we want to be ready with more GOLD LIT buildings, landmarks and locations around the world, starting with your area. 

 

As the only U.S. member of Childhood Cancer International(CCI), ACCO invites you to GO GOLD® by joining the global campaign to LIGHT UP THE WORLD GOLD this September. To assist you in this awareness effort, we have prepared a request letter and submission form for you to use to reach out to location contacts in your area and beyond. Please feel free to cut/paste the letter to distribute or share the distribution form link to those who can help

 

Light Up Hope – Light IT UP GOLD!
LINK FOR THE LETTER: 

 

REGISTRATION LINK 
(CLICK LINK AND SCROLL DOWN PAGE TO FORM): 

 

We ask that you please register your participation by completing the submission form below so that we can track the success of this united effort and to raise awareness of the global burden of childhood cancer. When completing the form, please be sure to attach your photos after the event so we can include them in the album, our blog, social media, add them to the interactive map and continue to raise awareness!
To see the countries and locations of committed locations to date simply scroll down past the album and view the
Light Up Hope Map towards the bottom of the page.
Thank you for your support of this important awareness effort to GO GOLD®!

Golden Ribbon Hero Jisele’s Story

Posted on May 20, 2016 by ACCO

13177909_495864420611180_6955843027113132494_nFor Jisele, this May has been an eventful month! On May 15, Jisele celebrated her seventh birthday with a beautiful pink princess cake and the perfect birthday present, a doll named Rapunzel. “I played with her and watched her play and it was awesome. To see her having fun and being a normal kid is the absolute best feeling in the world. I am so lucky to call her my daughter,” said her father, Juan. Just five days later, on May 20, Jisele celebrated her three-year “cancerversary”, the third anniversary of the childhood cancer diagnosis and the start of three long years of treatment. It’s been a long journey for Jisele and her family, but they are now looking past her final treatment this month and savoring the anticipation of many more “normal kid” birthdays to come!
Jisele’s Dad Juan celebrated May in his own way as well, by getting his third childhood cancer awareness tattoo. We are extremely honored that for this latest tattoo, Juan chose the official symbol for the American Childhood Cancer Organization:

As soon as I saw it, I immediately knew this was the one. It has great meaning to me. It symbolizes a father holding his daughter with his hand/body around her, cuddling her as she rests in his arms…Daddy loves you, Princess, and as I said and always do say, I will forever spread awareness and support for you and all the other kids battling this monster called childhood cancer. One step at a time, together, we will spread awareness.

Frankly, we could not have described the symbolism of our logo any better! Thank you, Juan, for taking the time to share Jisele’s story with us and helping us raise awareness about childhood cancer and the bravery and courage of Jisele and all childhood cancer warriors.

Jisele’s Leukemia Battle

13161620_10209405947049601_2027385167_oOn May 20, 2013, at 2:27 in the afternoon, Juan received the news that hisbeloved daughter Jisele, just past her fourth birthday, had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The most common form of childhood cancer, ALL begins in the cells of the bone marrow, the soft center of the bones responsible for generating new blood cells, and spreads quickly into the blood and other areas of the body. An “acute”, or quickly growing, form of cancer, treatment for ALL begins immediately. On May 20, Juan was told that the oncology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital was already waiting for him and Jisele to arrive.

13148373_10209405943889522_80291884_oThe standard treatment for ALL is several months of extremely intensive chemotherapy (“chemo” for short) utilizing highly toxic drugs tailored to kill the cancerous cells in the blood and bone marrow. If the first two phases of chemotherapy are successful—meaning that 99.9% of the cancer cells have been eliminated and the cancer sent into “remission”—less intensive chemo will continue for about two years to ensure elimination of the remaining cells before “NED”, No Evidence of Disease, can be declared.

This, in brief, is the outline of treatment that Juan received in those first traumatic days after diagnosis. But these words couldn’t prepare him for what Jisele would have to endure. While the drugs required to beat ALL are toxic to the cancer invading Jisele’s body, they were also toxic to the rest of Jisele’s young body. The side effects of chemo are both brutal and terrifying for patient and parent alike: hair loss, vomiting, constant soreness, and severe muscle and bone aches are often just the beginning. Yet Jisele faced the daily injections, the spinal taps and port placements, the endless rounds of blood work, the surgeries, and even the soreness and sickness with a smile on her face and fight in her heart, showing her family, her community, and herself the true meaning of courage and survival.

To visit Jisele’s Leukemia Battle Facebook page, Click Here.

Spreading Awareness Forever

For Juan, the last three years have been a life changing event, and he has dedicated himself to the fight against childhood cancer as completely as anyone possibly can! In addition to his awareness tattoos, he is now organizing multiple awareness projects, and routinely carries with him “awareness cards” that he can distribute to anyone willing to lend their ear and their aid to his battle. Juan says his inspiration comes from seeing his daughter’s courage and strength every day as she battled this “monster”:

“You are my true hero. I am so proud of you. Together we are warriors…nothing will beat us. I love you!”

About the American Childhood Cancer Organization

The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) is a non-profit charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families navigate the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through survivorship.  Internationally, the ACCO is the sole US member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the largest patient-support organization for childhood cancer in the world.  At the national level, the ACCO promotes the critical importance of ensuring continued funding into new and better treatment protocols for childhood cancer.  At the grassroots level, the ACCO is focused on the children: developing and providing educational tools for families and learning resources for children in order to make the lives of children and their families easier and brighter during this difficult time.  Many of our resources are available free of charge for families coping with childhood cancer.

For additional information about other childhood cancer warriors, to learn more about childhood cancer and the ACCO, or to order free resources for you or your child, please visit our website at www.acco.org.

 

For more information about the American Childhood Cancer Organization and how we can help, call 855.858.2226 or visit:

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Gold Ribbon Hero Owen M

Posted on May 12, 2016 by ACCO

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Owen was diagnosed with a Disseminated Oligodendriglioma Brain Tumor and Hydrocephalus at 6 months old.  He is now almost 2 and has spent most of his short life on chemo.  In his first year of life, he spent 98 days in the hospital.  He has had three brain surgeries and one surgery to implant a port for chemo in his chest.  No matter what he has had to endure or how sick he feels, Owen still finds a way to smile and laugh.  By just looking at him and watching him play, you would never expect that he has brain cancer.  It does not define him and he never lets it keep him from acting like a typical toddler.  His strength and courage inspire everyone he meets!” – Jennifer M.

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