WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

One of our favorite members of past WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethons, Avalanna passed away at the age of 6 in September 2012 from a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer called AT/RT (Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor). Aileen and Cameron are now the proud parents of 7 month old Harrison Love Routh. An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, often called AT/RT, is a very rare and fast-growing tumor of the central nervous system. AT/RT's are part of a larger group of malignant tumors called rhabdoid tumors, which can occur outside of the brain in the kidneys, liver or other locations. In most cases, AT/RT is associated with a specific genetic mutation (INI1) that can occur spontaneously or be inherited. AT/RT can occur anywhere in the brain but are most commonly found in cerebellum (base of the brain) and brain stem (the part of the brain that controls basic body functions).

Nick was diagnosed in November 2014 during a routine check-up and blood work. His treatment has included 2 rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in March 2015. His donor is from Germany. He selected Dana-Farber because it is one of the top hospitals in the world for cancer treatment. His family includes his wife, Carolyn, his daughter, Michaela, 17 and son, Nicholas, 14. He enjoys coaching softball and basketball. They travel often for his son's basketball and baseball tournaments as well as his daughter's softball tournaments. Nick enjoys spending time with his family, fishing with his children and attends several Red Sox and Celtic games throughout the year. According to Nick, after the shock of being diagnosed with AML his experience has been tremendous. The outpouring of love from family and friends was very touching. His Dana-Farber doctors, including Dr. Soiffer were outstanding. The nurses and staff were unbelievable – so compassionate and professional. Dr. Robert Soiffer is world-renowned in the field of bone marrow and stem cell transplant procedures.

Keri was a young mother expecting her second child when she was diagnosed in May 2013 with choriocarcinoma, a rare, fast-growing cancer that originates in the uterus from an abnormal pregnancy. The disease spread to her brain and lungs. She lost the baby she was carrying and went through numerous unsuccessful treatments and surgeries, including a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, a stem-cell transplant and lung surgery. While all the treatments she tried had been shown to be successful with this disease, for some reason, they didn’t work for Kerri. She came close to giving up hope. Dana-Farber researchers had been working to develop drugs for a different type of cancer, when they found that the target for 1 of these new drugs was highly expressed in choriocarcinoma. Kerri’s doctor’s theorized that this drug might slow the growth of her cancer and they designed a personalized clinical trial that Kerri started in February 2015. It almost immediately started producing good results for Kerri. For 7 months, Kerri had weekly chemotherapy treatments and endured difficult side effects. Still, each monthly blood test brought good news as her tumors kept decreasing in size. She stopped the trial in October and by May, evidence of the tumor was no longer detectable in her blood work. Kerri marked her 40th birthday this spring with a fresh lease on life. For the first time since 2012, she didn’t feel too sick from cancer treatment to enjoy her big day. She was also able to travel to Mexico and serve as matron of honor at her sister’s wedding in May, as well as enjoy Mother’s Day with her husband and daughter. It was more than she could have dreamed of just a few years before. Kerri has been married to her husband Peter for 11 years and they have a daughter, Olivia, 6 1/2. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. Her future goals include staying healthy to be able to watch her daughter grow! She would also like to be an advocate for precision trial medicine and clinical trials and Dana-Farber. Kerri says she is deeply, eternally grateful for the care and treatment she has received at Dana-Farber. They have literally saved her life.

Teaghan (Ayer) was diagnosed in May 2015 with ALL following routine lab work at her 2-year annual physical. Her treatment has included chemotherapy and she is on a 2-year treatment plan. She enjoys swimming, dancing, playing guitar, playing sports, riding her bike, swinging at the park, making silly faces, doing puzzles and painting. She also loves watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and performing the 'hot dog dance.” Teaghan has a Jimmy Fund Clinic boyfriend. She is going to have a little sister, her mom is expecting a baby girl in January 2017.

Herve has worked for Apple American Group for over 3 years as an Area Director, overseeing 5 restaurants in RI & MA. As a father and grandfather, he has an extreme passion for fundraising for cancer research, especially for children. Lori has worked for Apple American Group for almost 4 years as the Marketing Coordinator for New England. It’s year 2 of fundraising, and it’s over $90,000! Last year was $62,000! Huge increase! Fundraising consists of donations from our guests during a 5 week in-restaurant campaign and internal golf tournament. We also raised $1000 a few weeks ago at our brand new Holyoke, MA location during our Family and Friends event.

Kim was diagnosed in Sept. 2009. Both her breasts were hurting and she had found lumps, even though she had a clear mammography 6 months prior. Kim initially responded to treatment but her breast cancer later recurred as stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. For her first diagnosis, she underwent 8 rounds of chemotherapy, for her second diagnosis, she underwent 39 radiation treatments and now is in treatment for life. She selected Dana-Farber because she needed a research hospital since there is no cure and Kim believes Dr. Mayer is the best doctor there is for metastatic breast cancer. Kim is a real estate agent on the North Shore. She enjoys attending her stepdaughters’ hockey games, entertaining friends and family and rides with her husband on his Harley. Her future goal: Keep living each day and staying alive for the next break through that is coming with money donated to Dana- Farber as well as paying it forward to other patients. Dr. Erica Mayer speakS to the challenges of treating breast cancer once it has metastasized and spread to other parts of the body. She speaks to the PALLAS clinical trial, an international clinical trial that Dr. Mayer is leading to test if certain targeted drugs can prevent breast cancer from recurring once it has been successfully treated.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady calls in to join John, Gerry and Kirk during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon and talks to Liz and Kristen Hoenshell. Help #KCANCER. Call 877-738-1234 to donate now!

Kai was diagnosed 5 years ago in the fall of 2011 with grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare type of brain cancer. He had a seizure at work. He's had 3 surgeries, 2 rounds of radiation, two 12-month cycles of chemotherapy. His family includes his wife Xia and 5-year-old son Tian. His interests include boating, traveling, and playing the drums. He's a huge fan of all Boston sports teams. Dr. David Reardon, clinical director, Center of Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber. Besides a skilled clinician, Dr. Reardon is an active researcher with special interests in the design and implementation of clinical trials for neuro-oncology and the pre-clinical evaluation of promising therapeutics for central nervous system tumor patients. His work includes using innovative clinical therapeutic agents to improve the cure rates in patients with brain and spinal tumors, with particular focus on the use of novel “tumor-targeting” therapeutics. He also is working on immunotherapy drugs or "vaccines" to help in the treatment of brain tumors.

Chris Mortensen of ESPN joins Glenn, Lou and Christian to talk about his battle with cancer and discuss the Deflategate saga a little bit. Help #KCANCER. Call 877-738-1234 to donate now!

Asher (Walpole) met Glenn, Lou and Christian on August 2 during their Jimmy Fund Clinic visit. He came down with pneumonia and the flu in December 2015. A doctor recommended a chest x-ray, which revealed abnormal scans and Asher was consequently sent to the hospital that evening. After being admitted to the hospital, Asher was ultimately diagnosed with T-ALL and began treatment right away. Asher's treatment has included chemotherapy and steroids, and he is still undergoing treatment. Earlier this summer, Asher got the opportunity to take swings and run the bases during John Hancock Fenway Fantasy Day to benefit the Jimmy Fund. He is starting kindergarten soon. He will turn 6 on September 6. Asher loves swimming and soccer, playing LEGO's, doing puzzles, watching movies and playing video games. His family includes his mother Poppy, father Andrew and brother August, who is 2.