Momma Yvette is shaving in her daughter’s memory: Nayelis was diagnosed at eight and a half months with acute myeloid leukemia. After a long three-year fight, which included two cord blood transplants, she lost her battle on May 5th, 2012. Yvette told me that Nayelis showed profound grace and strength. She “smiled through it all and never gave up.” She “always put up a fight, and she did all the way to her very last breath.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Momma Laurie is shaving to honor her only child, Jordan, who lost his battle with cancer two and a half years ago. She expressed to me what so many of us feel in our bones: “No child should ever know the torture of a cancer diagnosis and the horrendous treatment that follows.” Jordan “wished he would’ve been a little boy at the time of his diagnosis. He thought if he were little then he wouldn’t have to know that he could and probably would die. It broke my heart knowing that this was his very sad 17-year-old reality.” By shaving her head, Laurie wants to work to make sure that this isn’t a reality for any other teenager. By “raising more awareness and promoting much more desperately needed funding, we can make a difference for those in the fight along with those who will be diagnosed.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Momma Chris tells us that she’s shaving “not only to bring awareness, but for me, it is important to show my son that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him . . . to let him know we ARE in this together.” Her son Tyler was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (Stage IV) just shy of his 14th birthday. He is now fighting a recurrent version of this disease. What’s amazing to Chris is “seeing Tyler’s strength, courage and determination while still maintaining a positive attitude and keeping his sense of humor.” Tyler is teaching her and all of us what strength, courage and determination really mean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Momma Courtney is shaving in honor of her “warrior kid,” Georgia Lee, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and “all the other kids in the fight.” Georgia Lee was declared cancer-free on April 29, 2012. Now Courtney’s “taking control in this journey” so that she can give back by “raising awareness, hope and funds for childhood cancer research.” Courtney told me how Georgia Lee has “moved through this journey with grace and determination.” Facing “every challenge with quiet strength, wisdom and confidence,” Georgia Lee “set the pace,” and Courtney and her family “just swam in her wake.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back on my family’s story, it’s striking that we really didn’t know that children face brain cancer. In fact, we may have even thought that childhood cancer was cured! Realizing our own previous lack of awareness, our family decided that one of the best things we can do is share our story, share what we know and have learned, and one step at a time these stories will resonate with others and we will start to find allies in friends and strangers alike.

We learned something that all these Mommas want you to know: cancer is the number one disease killer of American children. Cancer is the number one cause of childhood fatalities, after accidental death. Childhood cancer has no known causes and no known preventions. The disease—12 diseases, actually—strike one in 330 children prior to their 19th birthday, indiscriminately, with no preference for race, class, geography or gender. One of five children diagnosed die. Three of five children diagnosed suffer long-term, late-onset side effects, including secondary cancers and infertility, mostly due to incredibly aggressive treatment methods, usually developed for adults and passed on to kids. And, to top it all off, no one knows why. The causes of cancers in children are still largely unknown.

Currently the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), combined, contribute less than 4 percent of their respective budgets to childhood cancer research specifically. The NIH gives more than 60 percent more funding total to prostate cancer research alone, a highly curable adult cancer. Yet, the Sacramento Bee reported recently that the rates of childhood cancer are on the rise in the state of California. So, if we’re to solve these puzzles and save these precious lives, we must demand funding for research.

This is why, on July 29, this courageous team — the 46 Mommas — is shaving our heads to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation currently funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization, except the U.S. government. This is where our hope resides: in our ability to learn more about different childhood cancers and what causes and propels them. And, yes, you can help!

We need a relentless and aware community in this struggle. Families facing childhood cancer encounter daunting and often crippling challenges. We can’t fight cancer alone. We need your voice. You can help us by talking about this issue, raising awareness, and, of course, donating time and resources to causes like St. Baldrick’s. Maybe one day, someday, people will understand that kids fight cancer, too, and further, that it’s the most lethal, widespread and destructive major childhood disease. One day, as a nation, we will decide that we will no longer accept this fate for our children, and we’ll devote an army to finding a cure.

Thanks for spending some time with us. – Momma Audra

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120712005781/en
www.46mommas.com
www.stbaldricks.org
Contact Audra at: audra@givemaxlove.org

Featured Mommas:

Chris Brunson, Tyler’s Momma – Tyler Brunson, Stage IV Recurrent Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. Age 13 at diagnosis (one month shy of 14th birthday). Favorite toy/game:  PS3--any action or sports game. Favorite food: cheese pizza and Goldfish.  Favorite music: varied taste; pop, jazz, oldies.

Courtney Moore, Georgia Lee’s Momma — Georgia Lee was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia the day after her 10th birthday. After 28 months of treatment, she claimed her victory on April 29, 2012. She loves to read and proceeded through treatment with a constant book in her hand and a smile on her face. She loves Italian food and cupcakes, and when she’s not twirling about on the dance floor, she’s swimming like a fish. She is a mighty warrior!

Laurie Paganelli, Jordan’s Momma – Jordan Scott Paganelli, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, Stage IV. Diagnosed two months after his 16th birthday, passed away just five days prior to his 18th birthday. His funeral was held on his birthday. Jordan loved music and friends and had a passion for running.

Yvette Velez, Nayelis’ Momma – Nayelis Velez, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, diagnosed at eight and a half months. Nayelis passed away three years later. She loved Noggin, playing with her brother and her stuffed monkey, Mono.

Audra D. Wilford, Max’s Momma – Max Wilford, Grade II JPA (brainstem), diagnosed at four and a half years old. Currently in treatment. Max loves Harry Potter, Star Wars and Legos!