Help and Hope Happen Here

Even at the age of 7 Eric Buther's son Santiago was a graceful athlete but then he became clumsy and also was feeling tired and lethargic before he was diagnosed with DIPG in 2018. Santiago was able to go through an extended "Honeymoon" period after being treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital but then he relapsed and after a stay at Cincinnati Children's Hospital he passed away on January 17th of 2020, while in 3rd grade. 

Not only do Becca Ingersoll's twin boys Lincoln and Logan have special needs, Lincoln was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 3 years old in January of 2020. Lincoln also has Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, and Autism. Becca will talk about the very difficult and tricky road that she and her husband Josh have been navigating for the past 7 years, and will also discuss  her work as an activist and advocate in the cause of Pediatric Cancer. 

Becky Handley overheard her 12 year old daughter talk about having double vision to her ballet teacher in September of 2020 after complaining of headaches in the preceding days. The next day which was September 20th, Ava was diagnosed with DIPG. Ava did experience a six month honeymoon period from January of 2021 through July of 2021 but eventually her condition deteriorated and she passed away from this terrible form of Pediatric Brian cancer on June 15th of 2022.

Mylaina Schippers beloved older brother Sal lived for over 6 years after his diagnosis of Leukemia in the early days of 2016 when Sal was 15 years old. Mylaina will talk about Sal's journey in which he had to go through 2 relapses but also had some good moments and accomplishments when he was feeling and doing well. Sal passed away from the Pediatric Blood cancer in April of 2022, one month after his 21st birthday.

On October 24th of 2011 Reilly Cardella's best friend Kassie passed away from Leukemia when they were both 13 years old.  Reilly will discuss the relationship that they had and the inspiration that Reilly developed to become a very strong voice in the cause of Pediatric Cancer. When Reilly was 20 years old she started her non-profit Love For Lady Bug which was named after Kassie, then became a Board Member and Vice President of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation , and in 2023 was voted Miss Apopka, which is a city of 55,000 located near Orlando Florida, and recognized her for all of the advocacy work that Reilly has been involved with. Her advocacy work for the Pediatric Cancer community will undoubtedly continue for many years to come. 

Makenna Thomas had a back that was painful, a right arm that turned numb, and  fingers that she could not move, when she was diagnosed with Meningioma of the Spine in early 2018 at the age of 14. Makenna will talk about her battle both physically and even more so emotionally during that period and even beyond, and will also talk about her very successful recovery and life in which she is a senior at UCLA, is the President of the American Cancer Society on campus, oversees the Relay For Life Team at UCLA which is the leading fundraising college in the country for that event, and is studying neuroscience. 

Amiee Mittleman was told about a group of parents that had children who had been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2023. This group had formed an organization called Band of Parents.  After doing her research Amiee joined the group and was fortunate enough to connect with a doctor that had discovered an antibody for Neuroblastoma patients. Amiee's then 2 1/2 year old son Julian had been diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in December of 2022 and during his treatment in 2023, this antibody was given to Julian. In July of 2023, Julian had No Evidence of disease, and now, 14 months later, that designation still stands. Amiee now serves on Band of Parents Board of Directors. 

Melissa Nowicki's 3 year old son Brock was diagnosed with a Pediatric Brain cancer known as CIC-DUX4 Fusion Sarcoma in April of 2023. Both his surgery to remove his tumor and his follow up scans were perfect as 100 percent of his tumor was removed and there was no spreading of his disease. Brock is now 4 years old, was honored by the New England Revolution Professional Soccer team at Cancer Awareness Night on September 28th, and is doing well health wise. 

When Jamie Moore's 6 year old son Mason was experiencing headaches, having vomiting episodes, and having little energy, she and her husband were frustrated at first by the response they were receiving from doctors who did not recognize that what was happening to Mason was a "head issue". Mason was finally diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Medulloblastoma on February 20th of 2023, had much of his treatment at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, but for the most part the difficult treatment that he underwent did not help and he passed away on November 6th of 2023, just 10 months after his diagnosis. 

Jamie Buckner's beloved nephew Kyler passed away on March 2nd of 2021 after enduring a 16 month battle with the Pediatric Brian Cancer DIPG. Jamie is a filmmaker and he is currently working on a Documentary film which highlights Kyler's brain cancer fight. Jamie hopes to have this film completed in early 2025 and his initial marketing plans include having it shown at well known film festivals, and eventually having it shown at the White House to help raise awareness for this most dreaded form of Pediatric Brain Cancer