“Children with cancer are like candles in the wind who accept the possibility that they are in danger of being extinguished by a gust of wind from nowhere and yet, as they flicker and dance to remain alive, their brilliance challenges the darkness and dazzles those of us who watch their light.” ~ Unknown

Here’s this week’s links…

Kids – Why We Fight

Family hope for ‘miracle cure’

Eddie Halstead-Stevens, 3, is suffering from neuroblastoma and his family has just been told there is no further treatment available in New Zealand to help their son survive the aggressive cancer that has returned to his body. Eddie was first diagnosed in July 2013 and recently relapsed in the beginning of 2014. Eddie was recently accepted to try a high-dose radiation therapy offered in Australia; however, the cost of treatment alone will cost the family $10,000, not including travel expenses. A page has been set up at: facebook.com/eddiescrusade, and donations can be made via: givealittle.co.nz/cause/eddiescrusade. Please keep Eddie in your thoughts and prayers.stuff.co.nz.

St. Jude 2008 Honoree: Ally

Ally Cameron of Murfreesboro battled back from neuroblastoma and won. After serving as the 2008 St. Jude Dream Home honoree, the 5th grader is now celebrating 9 years cancer free! Ally was only 1 year old when she was first diagnosed and her original outlook was bleak. The 2008 Dream Home was built and donated in Ally’s honor bringing in a million and a half dollars for more research at St. Jude to save even more children. Congratulations, Ally!fox17.com.

Non-Profits / Events / News

Gone but not forgotten

After losing her son Devante to neuroblastoma, Rose Beckford has become determined to raise awareness and funding for the cancer that stole her son. Last year Rose, her family and friends raised more than £6,000 for neuroblastoma research and have several fundraisers planned for this year. For further details of Devante’s charity visit: www.deestrust.org.ukvoice-online.co.uk.

Touch a Truck coming soon

The 3rd annual Touch a Truck event hosted by Team 4 Hope is coming soon to North Saanich, BC, Canada. Team 4 Hope is a group of women spearheading the fight against childhood cancer by running and hosting fundraisers for Neuroblastoma research. The team was started in 2011 after founder Lisa Hopkins’ 14-year-old son Jordan celebrated his 10 year anniversary of his diagnosis of neuroblastoma. “Our team raised over $45,000 last year [during our fundraisers] which takes our grand total to over $200,000 over the past three years,” said Colette Hopkins, a team member, adding that the team gave out their first $50,000 grant last summer to a researcher at B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and will be giving out two more this year. Please visit www.team 4hope.com for more information on this and other fundraisers hosted by Team 4 Hope.vicnews.com.

Childhood Cancer Survivors More Likely to Be Hospitalized: Study

A new study has found that cancer survivors end up in the hospital more often than other people. The researchers looked at nearly 1,500 people who were treated for childhood cancer between 1975 and 2005, and a “control” group of more than 7,700 people who never had cancer. Over 10% of people who survived neuroblastoma or bone tumors during childhood were hospitalized five or more times during the follow-up period. Furthermore, hospital admission rates for neuroblastoma and bone cancer survivors were about two times higher than for people in the control group. To learn more about this study, please visit: http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/children/childhood-cancer-survivorshipphilly.com.

Man caught on tape stealing Jimmy Fund donation can

A rather infuriating story has a great turn of events. Kenneth Happas was arrested by Somerville police and charged with larceny after being caught on surveillance stealing a Jimmy Fund donation can at Bull McCabe’s restaurant in Somerville, Massachusetts. There was around $200 in the can and was going to neuroblastoma research. However, once the theft was shared on Facebook, over $800 has come in for donation! Absolutely incredible!wcvb.com.

Free flights help Peninsula patients access care

Patient AirLift Services, PALS, is a nonprofit that arranges free air and ground transportation for people needing medical treatment. Earlier this week, PALS provided 8 year old neuroblastoma fighter Wes Pak his 44th flight after being diagnosed three years ago. PALS arranges about 200 free flights along the Eastern seaboard, from Virginia to Maine, using a network of volunteer pilots. For more information, go to http://www.palservices.org dailypress.com.

Snapshot: The Dubs take time out to row in behind brave Merryn Lacy

Although she is currently enduring her third cycle of chemotherapy for neuroblastoma, Merryn Lacy (5) paid a visit to Jim Gavin’s senior county training session this week. While at the training session, Dublin’s All-Ireland champion trio of Diarmuid Connolly, Michael Darragh MacAuley and Denis Bastick all took time out to show their support for Merryn. You can follow Merryn’s journey with neuroblastoma on Twitter at: @MerrynLacy or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/merrynlacy. thescore.ie.

Lemonade stand helps children in need

An amazing group of 150 high school sophomores are taking part in a favorite summer time tradition, they are selling lemonade to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand as part of the HOBY Leadership Program. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was created in honor of a brave young girl named Alex Scott who died after a courageous battle with neuroblastoma. Past Alex’s Lemonade Stand events held by HOBY have raised about $1,500, and millions have been raised nationwide. To learn more about Alex and the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, including how to host your own lemonade stand, visit: alexslemonade.org kdlt.com.

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