by admin | May 4, 2017 | Youtube Video
Back in 2014, photographer Lora Scantling captured three young girls fighting cancer. Now, 3 years later, the girls have reunited for a new photo, and they’re stronger and healthier than ever!
Scantling’s father was losing his fight to lung cancer, so she wanted to do something “that spoke a thousand words that would draw emotion”. She chose childhood cancer because her friend had lost her son to cancer earlier. “I put a post out on Facebook seeking little girls who were fighting cancer, and the portrait was born!” she said. Then 3-year-old Rylie, 6-year-old Rheann, and 4-year-old Ainsley did not know each other until the photo shoot, yet they became instant friends. The 2014 photo captured the three girls hugging and showing support to each other, and it went viral on social media. Now, the 2017 photo is just as emotional. It shows the three girls, which are now all cancer-free, looking healthier and stronger than ever, and holding a gold ribbon, which represents childhood cancer awareness. “Cancer is like a dragon,” Rheann said. “Yeah, and chemo is the prince,” Ainsley responded. Rylie added: “Cancer messed with the wrong princesses!”
More info: Facebook | scantlingphotography.com (h/t: huffingtonpost)
by admin | May 4, 2017 | Blog, Latest Pediatric Cancer News, Youtube Video
Despite advances that have made treatments safer and more effective, childhood cancer survivors don’t appear to have experienced gains in long-term health outcomes, a new study suggests.
Their survival odds are better, but as adults they may have chronic medical problems linked to cancer and tumor treatments, the study found.
Up to one in four childhood cancer survivors report health problems in their 20s and 30s, researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
“They have chronic conditions at higher rates than siblings and the general population and they perceive their health as worse,” said lead study author Kirsten Ness of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
by admin | Apr 28, 2017 | ChildHood Stories, Inspiring Video - Children Surviving Cancer, Youtube Video
TRUSSVILLE, Alabama – Parents and players hear the words “play ball” before every little league game. Although routine to some, those words hold a dear place for the Barksdale and Moultrie families in Trussville. Their sons, Trevor Moultrie and Andrew Barksdale are both 7-year-old cancer survivors who played this season at the Trussville Baseball Park. Although they were on different teams, the two share a special bond — on and off the field.
“We have known each other for a long time and we had cancer together,” said Trevor Moultrie when asked to describe his friendship with Andrew Barksdale.
Trevor recalled his first year playing when he was catching behind home plate and Andrew came up to bat.
“I think I said hi Andrew, and then we played in the park after the game,” he said.
Andrew remembered the encounter as well.
“After the game we said, ‘good game’ to each other and played,” he said.
Throughout the year, the pair would go to the ballpark and cheer one another on, during practice and games.
The boys’ mothers, Sherri Moultrie and Holly Barksdale, met after striking up a conversation in a waiting room at Children’s of Alabama. They learned that they lived only a mile away from each other in Trussville, and began what they described as an instant “family-like” relationship.
Their sons were both diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) as toddlers, and Sherri and Holly say they supported one another and depended on one another through countless trips to the clinic and hospital.
“We kept in touch by text and social media,” Sherri Moultrie said. They would often send a word of encouragement or ask a question about what the boys were experiencing during treatment.
“We often understood each other better than our own families as they struggled with good and bad days,” Barksdale said.
Both Andrew and Trevor are healthy today and still share a love of baseball. Thursday, as the mothers watched their boys play catch, they still wince as they fall down or have a ball bounce out of their gloves, but they are keenly aware of the miracle of “small things.”
“They are little miracles,” Barksdale said of the boys.
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, Children’s of Alabama will host a baseball party for childhood cancer survivors. More than 300 are expected to attend the private event that will celebrate with their families.
According to Children’s of Alabama, every year 150 Alabama children are diagnosed with cancer.
“It’s a life-changing diagnosis that is devastating to the family and is the first step of a grueling treatment journey,” said Kathy Bowers with Children’s of Alabama.
Thankfully, thanks to research, development and donations, 80 percent of the children diagnosed with cancer today are expected to survive — that’s up from 50 percent just two decades ago.
by admin | Mar 25, 2017 | Blog, Latest Pediatric Cancer News, Tips for Parents
Children have special medical needs that are different from those of adults.
When your child isn’t feeling well, you need to know that he or
she is being well taken care of by highly trained pediatric clinicians.
That’s why Sunrise Children’s Hospital is on a mission to
care for the well-being of children in our community. In fact, we are
the only dedicated
children’s hospital in the Las Vegas area. Our focus on children’s health allows us
to provide the specialized care and support services they need.
Specialized Training
When you take your child to a children’s hospital, you can rest
assured that every doctor who sees your child has received specialized
pediatric training. Children’s hospitals bring together highly trained
pediatricians, pediatric emergency medicine doctors, pediatric nurses,
and other professionals who have an in-depth understanding of the unique
health issues that affect young patients.
Pediatric Medical Equipment
You might be surprised to learn that not every healthcare facility is
fully equipped with child-sized medical equipment. A children’s
hospital has the right equipment for children of all ages, ranging from
pediatric hospital beds to special pressure cuffs.
Worry-Free Setting
It’s difficult enough to watch a child cope with pain and other
symptoms. Families shouldn’t have the added burden of a stressful
hospital visit. When you take your child to a specialized pediatric care
location, he or she will be soothed by the colorful, child-friendly décor
and positive ambience.
Child-Centered Support
Children often have difficulty understanding what’s happening during
a diagnostic test or treatment. Their siblings may also express negative
emotions about the situation. At a children’s hospital, families
can work with Child Life Specialists. These professionals are specially
trained in putting young patients at ease and using age-appropriate language
to explain hospital procedures. Child Life Specialists can also provide
support for the young patient’s siblings.
Sunrise Children’s Hospital features the largest dedicated children’s
emergency care department in Las Vegas. Our pediatric specialists work
closely with parents to provide family-centered care. If you would like
more information about the unique care our children’s hospital provides,
you can call a registered nurse at (702) 233-5437.
Source: Why Your Child Needs Dedicated Pediatric Care
by admin | Mar 19, 2017 | Youtube Video
Eight-year-old Addison has a message for cancer: “You messed with the wrong kid!” Addison bravely battled against leukemia in 2012. He is one of approximately 1,500 individuals being supported by Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program and its nonprofit partners, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s cutting edge research program, funding important projects searching for better treatments and cures for all childhood cancers. The company’s support of Alex’s Travel Fund enables families to receive vital, specialized treatments from pediatric cancer hospitals by covering costly travel and lodging expenses.
To learn more about the partnership between Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Northwestern Mutual visit: http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/corporate-partners/northwestern-mutual
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