Cure Childhood Cancer

CURE Blog


September 30th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Delaney Wadsworth

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 30, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Delaney Wadsworth. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Delaney’s fund.

In mid June I took my daughter to her doctor in Wyoming. She had been falling down alot and peeing her pants. The Dr. said nothing was wrong, no worries and sent us home. On July 2nd we took her to a different Dr in Colorado. She found nothing wrong, but sent us to the ER for a CT scan. After hours of waiting, the Dr finally came in and told us that my perfect beautiful baby girl has a “growth on her brain”. My world fell apart. My husband took Delaney to Children’s in Aurora, and I went home to pack a few clothes.

When I got to Children’s we were talked to by alot of people and were given alot of hope that the tumor was operable. She had an MRI on the 3rd of July, and we were told still it was operable.

July 4th, our world once again fell apart. We were told the tumor was inoperable and our baby girl, our only child, our whole life, has only 9 months to live. She had a shunt put in to relieve the pressure in her brain, a brviac line put in, and a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed their diagnosis. She has a diffuse pontine glioma. There is no cure, and radation will give her a little longer. We opted for the experimental 5 day treatment, and started the next week.

Delaney has had her 4 week MRI since then, and the results are promising. The tumor has shrunk, and she is doing better. Though this doesn’t change what her outcome should be, we believe in miracles and we will never give up until we do find a cure for this horible disease. Even if our daughter doesn’t make it, we will continue to fight, so one day, npo parent will ever have to hear the same words we did.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

Donate to Delaney’s fund.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 30th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Patrick Chance and Brennan Simkins

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 30, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kids Patrick Chance and Brennan Simkins. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Patrick and Brennan’s Fund.

Patrick and Brennan’s story

True friends share each other’s joy and pain, and that couldn’t be more true in the world of childhood cancer.  When life long friends share the heartbreak of each having their middle son diagnosed with childhood cancer, however, sharing each other’s fears, heartache, and triumphs take on a magnified meaning.  This is the story of two families touched by equally daunting childhood cancers and their shared fight to save their boys and to be a part of the effort to find the CURE.

Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer provides desperately needed funding for research relating to neuroblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Press On was created by Erin and Stephen Chance after their three-year-old son, Patrick, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in June 2006.  The Press On mission was expanded to include AML in 2009 when Tara and Turner Simkins joined forces with the Chances as a result of their son Brennan’s diagnosis with AML on the eve of his seventh birthday.

Patrick completed 34 months of treatment in March 2009 and relapsed in June 2009.  Three months after this difficult news, Brennan relapsed.  Both boys are now waging a battle with far fewer and far riskier options.  Beating neuroblastoma and AML requires funding for more research and for expensive and risky clinical trials.

The Chances and Simkins have shared a friendship for practically their entire adult lives.  The brutal coincidence of their sons’ battles with these diseases underscores their firm belief that the on going experience “in the trenches” with these kids offers a providential opportunity to help raise money that can be directed to therapies and trials that can make a difference now.  From this perspective, their lives will be always changed for the better, aided by true friendship and faith to Press On through any circumstances for a CURE.

The Chances and Simkins have often summoned the will to “press on” (Philippians 3:12-16) during the most difficult days of their war on cancer.  You can help all the innocent children fighting neuroblastoma and AML by making a donation to help Press On meet our fundraising goal during CURE’s Kids Conquer Childhood Cancer One Day at a Time.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Donate to Patrick and Brennan’s Fund.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 29th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Ricky James

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 29, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Ricky James. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Ricky’s Fund.

On 4/1/07 I took my 22 month old son, Ricky, to the ER complaining of severe constipation. Within 2 hrs of arriving at CHOA – Scottish Rite, I was told the most horrendous thing a parent could be told.

Ricky was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate (rhabdo). Rhabdo is a rare, aggressive childhood cancer that is a soft muscle tumor. Ricky had a 5.1 cm tumor stemming from his prostate blocking his rectum. Ricky endured chemo & radiation & on 2/8/08 Ricky was declared No Evidence of Disease (NED). Rhabdo is aggressive & a remission declaration is not declared until there is no relapse in 5 years.

On 5/16/08 Ricky relapsed in the same location. Due to the extent of radiation that Ricky endured the first fight, he could not have radiation again. Our only option was harsh chemo & surgery. On 5/30/08 Ricky began chemo (he turned 3 on 6/1/08), which included a 2 day chemo (overnight), outpatient chemo the following week, then a 5 day chemo (4 nights inpatient), then outpatient labs the next week. We would then repeat the cycles for 3 months. The chemo was very hard on Ricky & his recovery from the side-effects of this regimen were not rapid. He received 5 blood transfusions in a 6 week period. After 7 cycles of chemo, on 10/14/08, Ricky had surgery to remove his bladder, his prostate, a portion of his urethra & surrounding lymph nodes. A portion of his transverse colon was also removed to create a conduit for his urine, via a urostomy. On 11/5/08 Ricky resumed the chemo regimen & on 2/28/09, Ricky was again declared NED. During this last phase of chemo Ricky endured multiple infections requiring isolation & was home less than 20 days during this period.

On 9/17/09, our world was shattered when we learned that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Not willing to give up completely we began a mild chemo regimen to stabilize the spread of the chemo & allow us to make memories. We knew that the cancer had won but we were not going let it steal us of time together while he was still feeling good. Ricky began chemo for the last time on 10/2/09 but his body was tired. On 5/5/10 Ricky was admitted to the hospital in respiratory/kidney failure. On 5/11/10 he was transferred to the PICU in cardiac failure. We brought Ricky home on 5/17/10 & at 11:07pm on 5/23/10 (8 days before his 5th birthday) Ricky earned his angel wings in my arms, with his father & sister by his side.

Ricky was an old soul with a smile & spirit that caused everyone he encountered to fall in love with him. If it were not for his bald head, you would never have known that Ricky had cancer. He lived, loved, laughed & made memories daily. He was my Superman. And I miss him more than words could ever capture.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

Donate to Ricky’s Fund.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 29th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Kiara Scott

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 29, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Kiara Scott. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Kiara’s Fund.

Kiari’s story, shared by her Mom

May 4th, 2010 started like any other day for our family: We awoke, changed clothes, ate breakfast, and then sat down in the living room floor to play. I had looked over to my little princess Kiari and noticed an unusual rash on her legs. I had seen the same thing on her bottom the night before and just thought maybe it was the detergent I began to wash our clothes in but now it had spread. I took a picture and sent it through a text message to my husband. He called and I asked what it looked like since it had now spread to her legs overnight. He wasn’t sure, and since Kiari’s insurance wasn’t active. I opted to take her to Eastside medical. I had never seen something like this before, it wasn’t raised like a normal rash, it was underneath the skin. When we arrived at the ER, Kiari had become weaker, and the rash had spread to her arms and ears. We were called back and even the ER doc had never seen this before. I informed him that she has some bruises that weren’t healing and she had been rather weak for about a week now. He then ordered a urine test and asked if one of his colleagues could take a look at her legs, after that and a small discussion they ordered a blood test, and about 45 minutes later, he walked in and said, “Kiari has blood cancer.”

My heart stopped. How could my smiling, healthy, and playful 3 year old have cancer? I grabbed her up and started crying. With Kiari on my left leg and my 18-month-old on my right, I couldn’t believe it! I had always taken care of her – how did this happen?

Due to a bad signal in the ER, I had to text message my husband; he had taken a job in Florida just 2 weeks prior, and right after he started to call my phone non-stop. I was even more upset I couldn’t answer him. Right away, the doctor highly recommended that we go to Scottish Rite and get a confirmation because they were more equipped for child patients.  During all of this, I made calls to my mother-in-law so that she could talk to the ER doctor in medical terms. That day was the most stomach clenching day of our lives.

Everything become blurry, then: between PICU doctors, and then a firm diagnosis that it was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. X-rays were performed and found an enlarged chest mass. The cancer had spilled out of her bone marrow and into her bloodstream it had been there long enough to crowd her bone marrow from making new cells. They placed in a PICC line because the mass was too large to place a port and because of breathing risks she couldn’t eat nor be sedated.

The doctors told us that with steroids and chemotherapy, she would be cured, with some side effects. It has been a long road, and we have an even longer road ahead. Yet, I am glad to say Kiari is doing alright. The mass is completely gone and we have a port now. She has some symptoms after chemotherapy treatments are done, but she is slowly returning to the princess we remember before treatment, and I know she will get better.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Donate to Kiara’s Fund.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 28th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Abby Smith

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 28, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid, Abby Smith. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Abby’s Fund.

Abigail Grace Smith, “Abby”, has been battling cancer for more than two-thirds of her life.  In mid February of 2006, Abby developed balance issues which were preventing her from walking steadily.  On March 3rd, 2006, Abby was diagnosed with a golf ball size medulloblastoma brain tumor at the age of 23 months old.

Abby had a successful total tumor resection on March 6, 2006.  Unfortunately, Abby developed posterior fossa syndrome within days after surgery which caused her to lose most of her gross and fine motor skill capability for a period of time.  Abby initially underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy, 30 days of radiation, and then 8 maintenance cycles of chemotherapy.  She completed her treatment in late May, 2007.  Abby began thriving and improving and was a picture of health.  After a routine, follow-up head and spine MRI on September 28th, 2007, Abby was diagnosed with drop metastases in her spine in multiple places.  She had exhibited no symptoms.  All of Abby’s MRI’s and spinal taps had been clear to date with no evidence of cancer since March 6th, 2006.

From October of 2007 until March of 2008, Abby endured 3 cycles of high-dose ICE chemotherapy and a cord blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. Abby went on to receive 25 cranial/spinal proton beam radiation treatments during late May/June, 2008.  She completed her relapse treatment on June 30th, 2008. Only two small places remained on Abby’s spine and the two spots continued to improve or stay stable.  For eleven months, Abby was on a 14 day cycle drug maintenance therapy.  She continued to get stronger and thrive during this time.

On June 23rd, 2009, 51 weeks post relapse treatment, Abby had a routine follow-up MRI.  Her scan revealed a grape size tumor in her head and haziness in her spine.  Two inconclusive spinal taps raised further concern.  Again, Abby had exhibited no symptoms.  To battle this second relapse, Abby began a daily metronomic chemotherapy regimen administered at home on July 20th, 2009 which continues through today.  Her most recent MRI on July 2, 2010 shows that this treatment is working.  There is no white tumor visible in her brain and spine.  There is only slight shadowing in the area of her brain where there was definitive tumor a year ago.  The top of her spine was deemed to have “no evidence of disease” and the residual area in the bottom part of her spine is less definitive and seems to be dissipating.  As a  result of all of the above, Abby has speech and processing delays, has suffered permanent hearing loss and is physically impaired with her balance issues and inability to consistently walk unassisted. Yet, Abby’s determined and fighting spirit pushes her forward each day.  She is our miracle girl!!

Since Abby’s cancer diagnosis, she has lived out the meaning of her middle name.  Abby is one of God’s special children and has faced all of her hospitalizations, treatments and pricks and prods with such grace that can only come from above.  Her big blue green eyes and her beautiful heartwarming smile connect you to her immediately. She enjoys playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, pop beads, sticker books, painting, arts and crafts, books, and board and card games.  She is a girly girl from head to toe, loving the color pink, hair accessories, jewelry and painted nails.  She loves her family with the most sincere affection and is happiest when we are all with her.  Abby’s proudest recent accomplishment was losing her first tooth!  This was her first age appropriate development since diagnosis!  Way to go, Abby!!  Our Christian faith has been our stronghold throughout our journey with Abby, and we thank God for His provision for Abby and our family these past four years.  We continue to pray for complete and total healing and recovery for our Abby.

Thank you for helping find a CURE for Abby and the countless other children affected by this terrible disease!

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Donate to Abby’s Fund.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 28th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Riley Rogers

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 28, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Riley Rogers. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Riley’s Fund.

Riley’s story, shared by his Dad, Israel Rogers

Our son was like most 2-year-old kids that like to put things in their mouth. Riley’s was a small rock that Monday.

He actually got choked and ended up swallowing the rock.

On Wednesday at Bible School, Ms. Sue came to get my wife, Sherry and tell her that Riley was having trouble in the bathroom, and crying with stomach pain. Sherry called me at work, (I work in a Radiology Department), I told her we should X-Ray Riley to see if indeed there was a rock.

Sure enough, the X-Ray showed a 1cm sized rock in the lower pelvis, almost ready to come out! After the Radiologist looked at Riley’s film, we got the shocking news:

“The rock is not a problem,” he said, “Riley has a mass overlying his left kidney about the size of a softball.”

Riley was diagnosed the next day at CHOA- Egleston with Wilm’s tumor. A malignancy attached to his kidney. The surgery was scheduled for the next week, and Dr. Durham removed the tumor and the left kidney. The tumor was 10cm, much larger than the rock we had worried about.

After we received the pathology results, and got the plan from Riley’s Doctors, we knew in our hearts that God had allowed Riley to swallow that rock for a reason. I want to say that our faith, family and friends helped us through, and Riley had his last treatment in December, 2009. He hasn’t missed a beat, and goes now for 3 month check-ups. Praise God that everything is clear now. Thank God for that little rock!

Riley’s tumor was found early, he had to undergo 13 rounds of chemo. He celebrated his 3rd birthday at the Clinic, but we DID get to celebrate it. Hopefully we will get to celebrate many more birthdays with Riley. He turns 4 on September 28th and I don’t know of a better way to celebrate than to help CURE raise money for others that might be in a similar situation as we found ourselves just a year ago.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Donate to Riley’s Fund.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 27th, 2010

#CUREKids Twitter Chat

As we all know by now, September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and as the month comes to a close, it is our hope that this is not where the awareness for this terrible disease ends too.

To celebrate all that has been accomplished this month by childhood cancer advocates and families that have been affected by the disease, and to keep the momentum alive, CURE Childhood Cancer is hosting a Twitter chat this Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 11:00 am EST to get everyone talking & raising awareness for the cause. Everyone is invited to participate in the chat – from families to friends, other organizations & healthcare providers, or anyone interested in the cause!

Joining in the chat is easy if you’re on Twitter, and you can follow along with us by searching the #CUREKids hashtag here, and join in the conversation by simply following along and adding #CUREKids to your tweets. Also, be sure to Follow our Twitter account too at @CUREChildCancer!

As we chat, the conversation will wrap around the following questions:
Q1. Why do you support childhood cancer awareness? What has led you to become involved in this cause?

Q2. There are many charities out there, like CURE Childhood Cancer, that support childhood cancer causes. What is your number one reason for choosing which cause to support?

Q3. What is the best way for friends & families to show their support for a child & family dealing with childhood cancer?

Q4. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. What have you done already this month to spread awareness?

Q5. Are you blogging about childhood cancer in some way? How are you sharing your story?

We also welcome your support through donations to help fund childhood cancer research this month, and appreciate you taking the time to read about the brave children we are honoring this month as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!


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September 27th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Kennedy Grace Kington

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 27, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Kennedy Grace Kington. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Kennedy’s Fund.

Kennedy Grace Kington was a normal three year old girl that loved to play outside. However, the spring of 2007, was different. We started noticing Kennedy wanting to wear a sweater every time she went outside, and then she started complaining of leg pain. That leg pain was soon followed by a fever that led us to the doctor. Within minutes our lives changed. The doctor took some blood work and we were told right away that our daughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The doctors immediately started chemotherapy and put a port in her chest to administer the medicine that would save her life. For the next two years and two months Kennedy took a ton of chemotherapy, had many spinal taps, had blood drawls and of course plenty of hospital stays. It was so hard on Kennedy and drained her of all her energy. About eight months into treatment, Kennedy’s adrenal system shut down and could not handle the harsh medicine anymore. It took two ICU stays in the hospital until finally the doctors were able to figure out why her body was going into septic shock. Thank goodness this was diagnosed and Kennedy then took extra steroids to help her body fight the harshness of the chemotherapy for the rest of her treatment.

It has surely been a long, tough, hard road, but we are happy to say that on June 29, 2009 our baby finished treatment for ALL. Kennedy has an 85% chance of never having to fight this disease again. We pray every night that that is the case. There are many side effects of the chemotherapy that Kennedy will have to deal with, however the fact that she is alive and healthy is all that really matters. CURE was a huge part of our support system during our two years and two months. We so appreciate all that they have done for us and our fellow cancer families during these trying times. It is definitely not something you wish for your family to go through, but it does open your eyes to the amazing, generous people out there…and that is something to be thankful for. Thank you for your support.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

Donate to Kennedy’s Fund.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 27th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Keith Towells

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 27, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Keith Towells. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Keith’s Fund.

Keith’s story, shared by Keith’s Mom

Keith Dewayne Towells, my first and only son, entered this world on March 24, 2003 weighing 8lbs 4oz. The first 18 months of his life were ‘normal’ and he was perceived to be in perfect health. In October of 2004, that perception quickly diminished revealing an unfathomable reality: Keith was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia).

Keith’s treatment protocol included three intensive rounds of chemotherapy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite Campus). He bravely fought through each round and bounced back with the uncanny resolve of a true champion. In January 2005, the doctors confirmed Keith was in remission and scheduled him for a bone marrow transplant to conceivably give him the greatest chance of being cured.

Keith’s bone marrow donor was his older sister Morgan (surprisingly she was a PERFECT genetic match)! The bone marrow transplant took place in Baltimore, MD at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Morgan was only 6 years old at that time, but she was very brave and excited to help her brother.

Ninety (90) days post-transplant, the doctors discovered that Keith had relapsed; the Leukemia was back and even more aggressive. Unfortunately, there were no other viable treatment options for Keith, so I made the decision to take him back to the familiar surroundings and people of our home in Atlanta, GA.

For the next month, we enjoyed all of the comforts of home while suffering through the pains of not knowing what was next. How many more months, days, hours, or minutes were we going to be given to share with Keith? No one knew.

I am so grateful that we were blessed with 1 month and 8 days more, as Keith Dewayne Towells’ body exited this world on June 6, 2005. Keith peacefully passed away at home in his racecar bed at the tender age of two. His physical presence with us was limited, but his spirit will thrive in our hearts forever.

My ‘new-normal’ reality, being a bereaved parent, is one I have found no word to adequately describe. There will never be a word. However, there is hope that no other parent will be faced with searching for that word. CURE is the epitome of that hope because it advocates for much needed PEDIATRIC cancer research. Donate today to benefit CURE’s funding of vital research to eradicate Childhood Cancer!

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Donate to Keith’s Fund.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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September 26th, 2010

CURE Childhood Cancer Honors Kennedy Cobble

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 26, 2010 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Kennedy Cobble . Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Kennedy’s Fund.

Kennedy is an 18-year-old young lady who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma- bone cancer two weeks after she turned 14 in February 2006.  She had been suffering from back pain, limping and had lost a great deal of weight.   As any parent would assume, it had to be a sports injury from tennis or PE at school, even a backpack that was too heavy.  However, after seeing countless doctors and having plenty of tests she was sent in for an MRI. I will never forget the moment our lives changed forever and the radiologists told us she had a mass on her spine.   Her tumor was on her sacrum, the most rare place for osteo.  She immediately began a 9 month chemo protocol at CHOA- Egleston under a wonderful oncologist.

To save her, she had to have the tumor removed and we were told by doing so she may never walk again.   We had no choice but to remove the tumor and we went to Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC to have the surgery.  We were told at that time she may not survive the surgery.  However, thanks to several world-renowned surgeons and the grace of God, she survived and she can walk.  It was a brutal 25-hour surgery and she could not stand for 6 months.  She has been through extensive rehab as a result.

A year later Kennedy had a relapse in the lower lobe of her lung. She had a partial lung removal followed 2 months later by a complete lung removal thanks to another tumor.  Kennedy was cancer free for a year and doing well until she had a bone relapse in her tibia and has subsequently had her tibia and knee removed and replaced at Sloan Kettering again.

Kennedy is a medical miracle and has defied the odds on many fronts.  Not without many challenges.  However, it is my belief that her outlook on life, her strong spirit and her refusal to let this disease defeat her has kept her alive.  She wears a smile everyday and is thankful for all she has.  God, friends, family, community and a wonderful medical team have blessed her.

Everyday she survives is one day closer to finding a cure for her.  CURE is a huge part of finding this cure.  Kennedy has been to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Sloan Kettering in NYC and Connecticut Children’s to have surgeries and treatments and keep her alive as well as give her a quality of life.  She has much to offer the world due to her experience battling a dreadful disease that no person should have to fight.  She has inspired many through her journey and created awareness to the fact that pediatric cancer is the most underfunded of all cancers.  They say it is rare and many may feel that way until they have a child fighting the fight.

Our family thanks you on behalf of all families fighting for your help in fighting with us.

About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:

September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.

Donate to Kennedy’s Fund.

About CURE Childhood Cancer:

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.


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    Nacho Average Taco

    For May and June, order the CURE taco at Red Pepper Taqueria and $1 will be donated to CURE. The taco features chargrilled calamari, crispy eggplant, tomato, onion, sorrel, and ginger pico.


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    Purchase Admission & Raffle Tickets

    Sample international red, white, and sparkling wine, as well as craft beer at Cheers to CURE, held at City Club of Buckhead on Friday, July 19th from 6pm to 9pm. Click here to purchase an admission ticket or raffle tickets.