During the 12 years since Ben's initial diagnosis of Bilateral Wilms Tumor (kidney cancer), he has endured numerous surgeries, various forms of chemotherapy, many rounds of radiation, uncountable hospital stays and infections, 5 recurrences of cancer (spreading to the liver and the lungs on the last recurrence), acute renal failure, 3 years of dialysis, and finally a kidney transplant on 6/15/11. He is currently considered to have no evidence of disease, has a well functioning kidney, and is recovering nicely from his transplant. Though the physical scars are an unsettling reminder of what a long road to recovery this has been, they are also a badge of honor (perhaps Ben doesn't feel this way about them, but I do). The emotional scars, on the other hand, are probably going to take the longest to come to terms with. There is not a day that goes by that cancer does not cross my mind. St. Baldrick's Foundation has a special place in my heart, as do all of the brave kids and families who have to face any life threatening disease. Ben's Mom