As My Daughter Goes Through Surgery
In October 2015, our daughter Rylie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. As part of her treatment protocol, Rylie needed to have surgery to take ...
What Bravery Means to Me
Written by David Dykes, father of 9-year-old Connor, a brain tumor survivor. To even begin this, I have to explain my history: I’m a Marine i...
Conquering Fear: Griffin’s Story
Every time Jill arrived at the hospital for her 8-year-old son Griffin’s chemotherapy treatment, she posted signs and drawings on the blank h...
Silver Strings and the Fear of Relapse
I was by myself with Sydney when she was recovering from surgery and the oncologist told me that he felt 99 percent sure that she had cancer. A...
The November of Grief
November is a hard month. It’s the time of year when the cold winds of winter blow the brilliant color of October away. The sky turns from vi...
Cancer Requires us to Create a “New Normal”
There are very few life events worse than the day parents learn their child has cancer. On that day, everything changes. The future we imagined...
How cancer created a bond between two kids named “Zach”
I’ve never seen a ghost or a spirit. I’m terrified of the thought, but I’m still intrigued. Spirits to me are otherworldly-a concept ...
The Things You Never Thought You Would Have to Choose
Life is all about choices. From the simple ones we make every day to the ultra-complex that nothing can prepare you to make. Quinn was born w...
How I act around children with cancer
Beads hang off Michael’s* IV pole telling what seems to be an endless story of all the procedures he has gone through so far. As I step into ...
How My Son Led the Way
I stood in the hospital lobby with my ear pressed against the handle of the phone as my husband, Rob, held it to his ear to hear the news the d...
Letter from a Cancer Survivor
Battling cancer has changed my life. It’s safe to say that I would not be the person I am today without undergoing this beast. There isn’t ...
Isaac’s Story: Surviving Ewing Sarcoma
As 11-year old Isaac lay in the hospital recuperating from chemo, he could sense his younger sister was worried. “Sissy, don’t worry,” he...
Mikaela’s Story: Surviving Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Mikaela Gerick started ninth grade like many students—easing into a new school and meeting new friends. But unlike her classmates, Mikaela wo...
How childhood cancer saved my marriage
When tragedy strikes it’s like you’re under a magnifying glass—especially your marriage. All the little problems, dislikes and concerns y...
Caden’s Story: Surviving a Brain Tumor
At six-and-a-half years old, Caden of Fall Creek, Wisconsin is learning something that separates him from the rest of his classmates at his sch...
Zach’s Story: Surviving Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin Disease
Diagnosed with stage IV Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin Disease in September last year, 15-year-old Zach of Woodbury, Minnesota was just preparing t...
Adalyn’s Story: Surviving Retinoblastoma
Adalyn of South Saint Paul, Minnesota was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma on September 24, 2012, at mere 9 months old. “Never did we imagine th...
Laura’s Story: Her journey with Osteosarcoma
Two summers ago, Laura Goering was finishing up her summer job at a local landscape nursery and looking forward to her senior year at Cretin-De...