Wading Through the Rubble

Whether natural or human-created, disasters create rubble. In the aftermath of such tragedies, news feeds fill with images of catastrophic destruction. Once tall, majestic structures reduced to rubble; streets and neighborhoods filled with endless piles of debris; lives left in ruins and a cry for help issued locally, nationally, and globally. In the days that follow a disaster, amid myriad …

Transforming the Story of Childhood Cancer

Viewing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2019 through the rearview mirror has been a wonderful lesson in realizing that looking back helps to transform the future. While recalling the flurry of GOLDEN events that made up September 2019 is important, in order to truly make an impact and find cures for every child, everywhere, G9 must look forward with 20/20 vision …

A Rush to GOLD

When my daughter Annie envisioned the idea for Gold In September, she saw a world that turned pink in October and stopped shaving in November in the spirit of raising awareness. She had a vision that one day, the same would be true with the color gold for kids. It was a simple goal: awareness. As we settle into Childhood …

I Spy . . . Hope

Last week I was humbled to be one of the keynote speakers at Pediatrics 2040 (Peds2040). The event was the annual meeting of the international Society for Pediatric Innovation or iSPI. Below is the transcript from my presentation. It provides the culmination of my journey as well as Gold In September’s vision as we continue to innovate, collaborate, and grow GOLDEN awareness and funding …

Struggling to Fit In – The Plight of AYA Cancer Patients

Since 2005, when my son Jack was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, I have stood on the platform of awareness and research to help find and fund cures for childhood cancer. It is a platform my family certainly didn’t willingly ask to stand on . . . but as my late husband John so thoughtfully said time and time again, “if not …

Cataclysmic Attachment Trauma

When a family is impacted by a childhood cancer diagnosis, the lifelong consequences are profound regardless of outcome. As a parent whose child lost this battle, healing is a daily and often overwhelming struggle. And let us not forget about the other side to this struggle for the parents whose children survive. There is no simply ‘moving on’ following the …

The Cost of Being a Survivor

Survivor(n): a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks. The ultimate goal of every family enduring a childhood cancer diagnosis is survival. No brainer, right? Every parent who has a child battling cancer longs for nothing more than to proclaim their child is one of the 80% who survived this horrible disease and …

Local Runner Raises $10,000 on Behalf of Gold In September

DELAFIELD, WI – Gold In September is thrilled to announce that local marathoner, wife and mother of three, Kris Bachman raised $10,000 for childhood cancer research, whiling she trained for and competing in the  123rd Boston Marathon. Bachman finished in the top 1/3 in the field of 30,000 with a time of 3:33:26. Bachman, who has competed in, and finished, …

The Power of Collaboration – Lessons Learned at CAC2

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Living In the Moments of Life’s Transitions

“A lot can be told from what happens in between the main moments.” – Annie Leibovitz June is upon us…and with it comes a flurry of activity. Children move on from one grade to the next, graduation ceremonies usher in the next phase for young adults, marriages mark new chapters for couples in love, and this month brings with it …