On June 11, 2021, our lives changed forever. Our daughter Serena, then 18 years old, received a diagnosis of Stage IV ALK+ Large B Cell Lymphoma, an extremely rare and highly aggressive cancer. Polly, Serena and I took the weekend to process the news. Then, family and friends raced into action, researching and contacting specialists to help us take the best action possible. The Fight began.
We chose two methods to fight: prayer and communication. Prayer led us to make contacts that ultimately generated a miracle. The Lis family (Johnny is a previous St. Baldrick's Shavee) provided invaluable insight in understanding what a young adult feels in successfully dealing with cancer and also provided key contacts at Healthnetwork Foundation to find the right specialists for Serena. Mike Tucker, a 16 year St. Baldrick's Shavee, put us in contact with key people at St. Baldrick's who helped coordinate communication with medical specialists and researchers. The initial trio of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital (Cleveland), Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Center (Boston) selflessly collaborated in developing Serena's treatment. That strategic collaboration ultimately led to a phase II clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital, where Serena found her miracle and beat cancer.
Serena now works at a salon as a licensed hair stylist. One day, she plans to make high quality wigs for cancer patients. She shaved my head at the 2024 St. Baldrick's event at Thos. O'Rielly's Public House as we raised over $25,000. This year, while we cannot participate directly in the event, we still want to support the cause . . . because it works!
At the event, some will shave their heads – and others will keep their hair and put their hearts into supporting research to find cures and safer treatments for all childhood cancers.
Cancer is the #1 disease killer of kids.
This is why I teaming up with St. Baldrick’s – the #1 charity funder of childhood cancer research grants – in their 26th year.
Your donation can help ensure that the future brings hope, progress, and cures. Together, we speed up the progress of saving the lives of these brave children--like Serena.
Thank you for your donation!
