Help and Hope Happen Here

Kailyn Thelen has health issues of her own, which do not include any type of cancer, and still is able to run her own non-profit which concentrates on making blankets for children with pediatric cancer and other diseases. Kailyn met Ali Herbert when she was just 2 months away from passing away from her battle with Very High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which happened on November 29th of 2020, the same day as her mom Heather's birthday. Kailyn will talk about Ali and about what she does to help others, as she is dealing with her own health issues.

Nici and John Robinson live in England and lost their son Charlie to a Grade 3 Ependymoma in 2021, after he was diagnosed with this Brain Tumor when he was 2 years old in June of 2018. Nici and John will talk about their beloved son and will also discuss the Respite Homes that they have made available for families who are going through a Pediatric Cancer diagnosis with one of their children. The Robinson's have set these Respite Homes up through their Thumbs Up For Charlie Foundation.

What was thought to be a stomach ailment for Meryl Summers 1st grade daughter Adelia became much more than that in February of 2023 when she was diagnosed with the Pediatric Brain Cancer Diffuse Midline Glioma. Adelia was called the Wonder Girl for so many reasons during her 15 month battle with this disease which very sadly ended with her passing on May 30th of 2024. Since that time, Meryl has become a fierce advocate for the cause of Pediatric Brain Cancer and has testified in the Massachusetts State House for a bill which recognizes the cause of Pediatric Cancer be passed and signed into law as soon as possible. 

After recovering from her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the late 1990's Shannon Hartey had a number of late effects that bothered her until 2020. By that time Shannon was in her early 30's  and these late effects got so bad, that Shannon was unable to know from day to day whether the intense  pain level that she was receiving in her head for a variety of reasons  combined with other cognitive issues that can happen to her at any time , will allow her to have even a normal day. The alternative, which happens regularly, takes her to a health level that is so difficult, it can make her life totally miserable on many levels. What Shannon has been diagnosed with, all because of her treatment for ALL which she received after this form of Pediatric Blood Cancer was discovered when she was 6 years old in 1994, is known as SMART SYNDROME. These late effects are almost totally unheard of, and have been very difficult for some of the best oncologists and doctors to have an answer for. 

After Megan Bugg was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in late 2014, she underwent a very difficult treatment protocol which included 150 weeks of toxic Chemotherapy , 200 Radiation treatments, 5 trips to the ICU, and 8 surgeries. Even so, Megan fought her disease every day and became an amazing and well known advocate for the cause of Pediatric Cancer before her passing on March 9th of 2022, 7 years and 2 months after her diagnosis.

Juno Wollf was born on October 11th of 2022 and was doing well until James noticed a lump under his right armpit. As happens too often, the doctors who looked at Juno did not figure out that this lump was an indication of a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor, which was finally diagnosed on December 17th of 2022. Just 47 days after Juno's diagnosis on February of 2023, he passed away from this form of Pediatric Cancer, which is diagnosed in 20-25 kids each year. Juno only lived for a total of 114 days. 

Bonnie Corcoran will talk about her beloved daughter Brenna who was diagnosed with DIPG, just 8 months after Bonnie and her husband Robert had taken custody of her, then adopted her when she was 3 1/2 years old. Brenna was born with a Cocaine addiction thanks to a family member and was welcomed by Brenna, her husband Robert, and their 5 other children, all of whom were at least 10 years older then she was. Brenna fought her DIPG as much as she could, before passing away on September 6th of 2022. 

Keith Desserich-will talk about the budget cuts from the National Insititute of Health, a huge cut from the National Cancer Institute which I just found out about and I mentioned in my outro, and other monetary losses that will have a negative affect for Pediatric Cancer patients and their families.

Jonathan Cottor and his family were living in England when his son Ryan was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy when he was 9 months old in 2001. Ryan was not expected to live past his 2nd birthday but lived 15 years longer than expected, passing away in December of 2018. While in England , Jonathan and his wife Holly saw a Respite Home that was common in England but was unheard of in the United States. Jonathan moved his family to his original roots in Phoenix Arizona in 2003, where he and Holly created the Ryan house, which was similar to the home that they saw and that Ryan lived in on occasion in London. After Ryan's passing, Jonathan has dedicated his life to coming up with programs that would lead to the building of these Palliative Care Respite homes across the United States and hopes to have 50 programs completed and 50 houses built, one in each state within 5 years.

Being a Certified Child Life Specialist is one of the most important careers that anyone who has a passion for those that are going through a Pediatric Cancer experience can aspire to. Shani Thornton is a prototype for how important this role is and she will talk about the many things that she is involved with on a daily basis as a Child Life Specialist that helps so many people deal with the psychosocial part of dealing with a disease that no one wants or deserves. 

Debi Mitchell's son Austin was diagnosed with Stage 3 Acute T Cell Lymphoblastic Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2021 when he was 12 years old, under the assumption that his issue before this diagnosis had to do with Asthma. Today, Austin is doing very well and is trying to establish himself as an actor. While spending her time during Austin's treatment at a Northern California Hospital which would become affectionately known as the "Kaiser Resort", Debi met other mom's who were with their children and were being treated for different forms of Pediatric Cancer. During this time in the "Kaiser Resort" these moms coalesced to form the MAMA BEARS FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER Non-Profit, a Non-Profit which now has established Roots in a number of Northern California Hospitals. 

After their 21 month old daughter Lily was experiencing stomach pains in April of 2024, Nicky and Dan Rankin took her to an Emergency Room and she was then admitted to Children's Hospital at the Anschulz campus in Aurora, Colorado. Shortly after that, Lily was diagnosed with High Risk Neuroblastoma. 16 months later as we enter August of 2025, Lily is doing as well as possible . Dan will discuss what Lily has been through and the Half Triathlon that he has been training for to raise money because of the great treatment that Lily has received at Children's Hospital.

Amy Dixon took her then 9 year old son Ben to his pediatrician and many specialists early in 2019 to find out what was the cause of the leg pain that had been bothering him. The one thing that these doctors agreed about was that it was NOT Cancer related. Unfortunately however, that was not the case. Ben was finally diagnosed with the Bone Cancer Ewings Sarcoma and after his first treatment protocol was declared to be in remission. 3 months later, in June of 2020, Ben relapsed which led to his sudden passing on July 8th of 2021 .

After being fortunate enough to interview their son Christian back in July of 2024, I was equally fortunate to interview Christian's parents Martin and Shanna who talked form their perspective about their then 15 year old son Christian's battle with a Pediatric Brain cancer known as a Pineal Paranchymal Tumor with Intermediate Differentation. Christian received this diagnosis in 2015 and in the previous 15 years , this diagnosis was given a total of 5 times. Fortunately, as the Englerts will detail, Christian is doing as well as possible, some 10 years after a diagnosis that was thought by doctors to be one that he would not be able to survive. 

Gisela Chavez's then 4 year old daughter Arianny was experiencing flu like symptoms during the 2024 Christmas season and finally after her fever spiked to the 104-105 range Gisela took Arianny to Advovcate Children's Hospital not too far from Chicago, where she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Arianny's diagnosis was given just after her 5th birthday in January of this year, and she has completed 6 months out of a treatment protocol that still has 2 years to go. 

After losing 3 lbs out of his less than 30 pound frame and not eating well in late 2021, Shelby Nadeau took her son Stryder to doctors, neither of whom thought that there was anything wrong with him physically. Just a couple of weeks later however, Stryder was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma after proper tests were ordered at Sacramento Children's Hospital which showed that there were plenty of tumors to be found. 

Heather Lino's then 3 year old son James was given a double whammy in 2020 when he was first diagnosed with T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in July, and then roughly one month into his treatment he was diagnosed with a Chromosomal disorder known as Ring 14 Syndrome. This disorder affects 200-250 people around the world. This affliction causes seizures and intellectual disabilities and can have other problems associated with it as well. James is now 8 years old and is living his best life possible. 

Patty Furco's then 4 year old daughter Abby was diagnosed with Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2011, a diagnosis which was changed 2 weeks later to Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This diagnosis reduced Abby's chances of survival to 20 percent. Patty will talk about the 10 years that Abby was able to somehow survive this very difficult form of Leukemia, which included her doctors saying that she had 48 hours to live in May of 2016. Patty and her husband very sadly began to make funeral arrangements and as Abby's time was supposedly nearing its end, somehow she recovered and was able to live another 5 years until her passing in October of 2021. 

Normally a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer happens to women who are much older than 14 years old, which is what happened to Olivia Hebert in October of 2024. Olivia has been through some difficult times since her diagnosis including a temporary loss of her vision, but she was able to return to school in March, her vision has been getting better, and she is just finishing up a vacation to Disneyworld with her family. 

Kim and Trey Bowman's daughter Bella went through a long period of unexplained illnesses until she was diagnosed with an Ependymoma Brain Tumor on New Years day of 2011. During her treatment she went through a period of Proton Radiation which led to a diagnosis of Brain Stem Necrosis, which she was unable to get past. Bella ultimately passed away from this form of Pediatric Brain cancer on December 23 rd of 2011, nearly one year after her original diagnosis. 

Cedar Connell was 15 years old when he found himself on his way to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago to begin his treatment for B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2022. Cedar and his mom Kiki will talk about the difficult treatment that he went through, including his move from Chicago to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston in 2023. Cedar is now getting ready to do his part for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as TEAM CONNELLSLLS will be getting ready for a 31 day challenge beginning on July 1st and ending on August 1st to exercise 3 miles each day for that time period, in the hope that they raise 35,000.

Waiting for a proper cancer diagnosis for 9 months is something that should never happen, especially when the doctor says that the chances of cancer on a 1-10 scale were ZERO in his opinion. Unfortunately that is what happened to Jen and Will Fox in regards to their then 8 year old son who was finally diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in the winter of 2018, and passed away on May 25th of 2021. 

Aly Arenholz was a freshman in high school when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Thyroid Cancer when she was 15 years old in 2021. After undergoing a very difficult battle during much of it, Aly just graduated from high school and will be attending the University of Kansas in the fall where she hopes her career path will focus on becoming a Child Life Specialist. Aly will also talk about her Non-Profit KICK CANCER LIKE A GIRL BOSS, which she started while in treatment and focuses on trying to bring a smile to the faces of Pediatric Cancer Patients. 

Alexandra Wilson passed away just 10 months after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March of 2002, from this Blood Cancer that normally has a very high cure rate. Her twin sister Arianna will talk about her sister and about her role as the now official Executive Director of the Alex's Team Foundation which was named in Alexandra's honor, and helps in many ways the cause of Pediatric Cancer, with an emphasis on the Pediatric Cancer Nursing Community. 

Jennifer Vertentes was a police officer in Providence Rhode Island when she decided to go to Hasbro Children's Hospital on Thanksgiving Day of 2018 to meet kids who had to spend their Thanksgiving being treated for different reasons, including being treated for Pediatric Cancer. While she was there she met 3 year old Emerson Lucier who was going through her 3rd battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia . This meeting inspired Jennifer to start her HERO PACKAGE FOUNDATION to help put a smile on the faces of these kids who were battling these difficult diseases. Jennifer, who in 2023 had to retire from the Police Department after suffering an injury while trying to save a person who was drowning, was also diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer that year. Fortunately for the Pediatric Cancer community, she continues to help these kids as she deals with her disease, that fortunately was diagnosed at a very early stage. 

After their 16 year old son Zach passed away from Osteosarcoma in November of 2021, Jon and Jenn Wall wanted to start a non profit focused around some type of Peer Counseling. The found it as they established ZACHS BRIDGE which partners parents who have already lost a child to Pediatric Cancer with parents who are going through their own child's pediatric cancer battle. The parents who have lost a child are there to help counsel the parents who are going through this same type of terrible experience, and trying to help them navigate this path as easily as possible. 

Kelsey Lauria began to have massive headaches early in the fall of her senior year in high school in 2014 which led to her diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In the later part of the winter in 2015, Kelsey experienced heart failure which led to her passing on April 18th, just 6 days after her 18th birthday and less than 6 months after her cancer diagnosis. During her treatment, Kelsey started her Bald Beauties Project to help in the fight against Pediatric Cancer and this successful non-profit has been run by her mom Maya since Kelsey's passing. 

Despite being diagnosed with a very rare form of Pediatric Brain cancer when he was 6 years old in 2021, Gabe Sorensen is living as good of a life as possible some 4 years later. Gabe was treated at St. Jude's and his goals for the future are either to become a doctor to help cure Pediatric Cancer or become a member of the Space Program. 

Livvy Bedard and Caeleigh Brown met while on the Swimming Team in Middle School. Caeleigh was diagnosed with Leukemia while a member of this team in January of 2017, shortly after setting her personal best during a swimming meet. Caleigh is now a Nursing Student at James Madison University. Livvy is working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as she attempts to become a Visionary of the Year by raising money in honor of Caeleigh and what she went through. Livvy began this quest on March 27th and has an upcoming fundraising deadline of June 5th. 

After Matt and Breanna's son 10 1/2 year old son Landon passed away from Medulloblastoma in December of 2022, Matt took up running as a way to cope with the grief from his beloved son's passing. In March of this year, Matt's running took him to Lake Folsom in Auburn California where he lives and he began a 140 mile run that honored the memory of Landon and honored 105 other Pediatric Cancer Warriors, some of whom are fighters. some of whom are survivors, and some of whom have passed away. This amazing accomplished was also captured on a 45 minute film which was put together by his "crew" of helpers who helped Matt every step of the way. 

Dr. Emma Jones is a Best Selling author because of her book entitled THE PHOENIX BLUEPRINT: RISING STRONGER FROM THE BLAZE OF HEALTHCARE which details the real problem of BURNOUT in the Medical Community. Emma has been a victim of burnout twice and she will talk about her book plus her role as a Palliative Care Physician for Pediatric Cancer and Adolescent Cancer patients.

Dr. Allie Neenan became very interested in Pediatric Cancer while a student at the University of Texas in Dallas  and after getting her degree, she received her Masters and Doctorate at Eastern Michigan University, Allie is now a Doctor who focuses on Psychology and has taken her considerable knowledge and skill to the world of Pediatric Cancer where she started her CANCER CUSHION Resource Library, which has answers to so many questions which arise during an individual and family's Pediatric Cancer journey.

When Brandon Cary decided to join the Idaho Pediatric Cancer Coalition as its Secretary he did not envision becoming the President of this non-profit. Since he did however, this Coalition has become the leading Pediatric Cancer non-profit in the area and has plans to expand its scope to other communities in Idaho including Boise in the near future. As part of its mission , the Coalition focuses on helping with the "little things" that the families involved with Pediatric Cancer situations can use as much help with as possible.

Imagine the shock and horror of having a child be diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, going through treatment for that for 8 months,, relapsing 2 months later, and then being told that the first diagnosis was wrong, and that the child actually had  Ewings Sarcoma. That is what happened to then 2 1/2 year old Connor Mocey who is now 5 years old and doing as well as possible while dealing with this difficult Bone Cancer. 

When 3 1/2 year old Angelina Phillips was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in 2013, one oncologist actually thought that her diagnosis was so bad that her mom Danielle should consider not even giving her treatment, Angelina did receive treatment which included 3 relapses and was able to go on some memorable trips during her battle which ended with her passing just before Covid began in late February of 2020. 

Katie Histing was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma when she was a 17 year old High School Senior in 2018. Katie fought her disease like a true Champion, made countless friends along the way and will always be known as a Pediatric Cancer Icon. Katie passed away on November 25th of 2024, approximately 6 months after Katie was told that there were no more curative options for her. 

Gavin and Wendy Lindberg's son Evan was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in 2006 when he was 3 years old. His diagnosis came on very quickly and his cancer spread very quickly. As I said on our podcast, anyone would need a strong stomach just to read about the litany of issues that Evan had to go through before his passing in October of 2010 including trips to 4 different hospitals, 4 relapses, and 4 brain surgeries. 

After he had a series of debilitating headaches, 11 year old Brett Haubrich was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma Brain Tumor in May of 2014. Despite always having his thumbs up during his treatment which portrayed his attitude about this fight, Brett lost his battle with this form of Pediatric Brain Cancer on January 10th of 2018. 

Emily McHugh went through a very difficult treatment protocol after being diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in 2009 before she turned 4 years old. Originally Emily was thought to have had Leukemia. Emily also has had to deal with many side effects from her treatment but still has been able to live as good of a life as possible as she is now a sophomore in college, and will be spending her next academic year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. 

Ethan Pompeo was 13 years old when he began to experience tics, sudden movements , and deep anxiety which was caused by PANDAS, an inflammatory disease which affects 1 in 200 people and is very difficult to diagnose. At the age of 23 Ethan was finally given his diagnosis and over the last 8 years he has built a business which has focused on the perfectly legal supplement know as CBD to help himself and 40, 000 others find ways to help lessen and eliminate pain that they have been living with.

While rubbing her 3 year old daughter Chelsea's belly, Alison Hicks felt a lump which was shortly diagnosed as a Stage 4 Wilms Tumor. Chelsea fought this Pediatric  Kidney Cancer for nearly 2 years before passing away after a treatment protocol which was very difficult from the beginning to its end. As a result of Chelsea's battle and passing, Alison started the Chelsea Hicks Foundation which focuses on keeping a smile on Pediatric Cancer patients as they go through their impatient hospital treatments. 

The normal protocol for a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is around 2 years of treatment but Lorie Chartiers daughter Gracie, who was diagnosed with this form of Pediatric Blood cancer when she was turning 10 years old in 2016, did not have the luxury of a normal maintenance program during her recovery. For the past 6 years leading up to 2025, she has struggled with many post treatment side effects which have hampered her, especially from a psychosocial point of view. Now 18 years old, Gracie is doing what she can to lead her best life possible. 

Dr. John Van Doorninck is a Pediatric Cancer Hematologist and Oncologist in Denver Colorado. He is also an active member and strong supporter of World Child Cancer, an International Organization whose main focus is to help lower income and middle income countries who do not have the wealth, resources, or expertise to help the Pediatric Cancer communities, as wealthy countries such as the United States are able to do. Dr. Van Doorninck will talk about many facets of this problem, including what solutions are already in place to hopefully bring up the survival rate in these countries to 60 percent by 2030. 

Erin Booth's son Landon was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 5 1/2 years old in March of 2021. From that time until he was in remission beginning in 2023, Landon had gone through his treatment well enough, but then after his remission started , so did his side effects . As Landon is now nearing his 10th birthday, these myriad of side effects remain an issue for him and the hope is that they will become easier as Landon moves on and approaches his Survivorship Stage.

Laura DeKraker Lang- Ree knew nothing about Pediatric Cancer when her then 3 year old daughter Cecilia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 1999. Since that time, Cecilia has recovered and gone on to lead a very successful and productive life, and Laura was able to learn so much about all facets of Pediatric Cancer that she was able to write a book called THE PARENTS CANCER HANDBOOK - What Your Oncologist Does Not Have Time To Tell You which she just published several weeks ago.   

Side Effects and After Effects from any Pediatric Cancer battle can be very difficult, especially when there are so many side effects that are concerning after being diagnosed with Pediatric Brain Cancer. That is certainly the case as we just heard from Stacie Eirich in talking about her daughter Sadie who has had more than a few difficult obstacles to overcome. The hope is that she will find the right people and programs to help Sadie through her toughest times. 

Audrey's Children is a movie that will be released in theatres this Friday, March 28th. It is the story of Dr. Audrey Evans, who is very likely the most significant Pediatric Cancer Oncologist of all time. Joe McDonough, who is the Founder of the Andrew McDonough B Positive Foundation , Michael Helfant who has been in the film business long enough to be involved in 150 films, and Julia Fisher Farbman, who is the Screenwriter and Producer of this film will talk about this remarkable woman who did so much for so many children before passing away at the age of 97 in 2022.

After a long period of time with severe stomach pain, Ryan and Courtney Cotton's daughter Julianna had to go through a test which completely missed an 11 cm tumor which was covering 70 percent of her belly before she finally received a proper diagnosis of Neuroblastoma in early 2022. Now 3 years later, Julianna has recovered from 2 relapses, currently has No Evidence of Disease , and is living the life of a normal 6 year old girl. 

Terrie Magro will talk about her son Mark who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, just before turning 11 years old in mid March of  2004, and then on June 8th of that year, her 13 year old son Michael was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with a rare T Cell variation . Mark is now nearing 32 years of age and is doing well both health and career wise but unfortunately, Michael passed away on July 30th of 2004, only 52 days after his diagnosis.  

Tay Scheibe was diagnosed with Large Cell Lymphoma when she was 10 years old and a 5th grade student on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001. Tay had 1 more cancer fight to go through and by the time she was 12, Tay was on her way to a full recovery  Tay spent much of the next years after her recovery trying to work on her own identity and in 2012, started a Toy Drive for the benefit of Pediatric Cancer patients which turned into her now Non-Profit With Love Charity in 2016. 

Taryn Jarboe was trying to console her 8 month old daughter June in June of 2021 as she had not been feeling well, and while examining her body, found a lump that was diagnosed as Neuroblastoma. June was supposed to go through an 18 month treatment program but while she was 10 months into her protocol, June developed a stomach bug and just before the radiation part of her treatment was supposed to begin, her doctors gave June scans which found that her Neuroblastoma had relapsed. Very unfortunately, there was only a 5 percent chance that June would survive this relapse and she passed away on March 13th of 2022.