Maddy is an amazing 8 year old little
girl. She loves anything pink and sparkly, makeup, my little pony,
school, softball, football, and cheerleading. She has a little sister
who she loves dearly and two parents that adore both of them. She is a
social butterfly and loves to be around people. Her smile can light up a
room. She also has this thing called leukemia. She refuses to let it
define her. She already kicked "Lou's" booty once and he decided to come
back again after 13 months off treatment. But this time Maddy has
told"Lou" (in her best singing voice)....."We are never EVER getting
back together".
Support Page : Team Maddyi
Hope Session by : Double A Portraits
Meet Maddy
Meet Payton
Meet Payton. This is no ordinary 8 year
old. This girl….this girl right here is a brand-new FIVE year survivor
of AML (Leukemia) as of October 8th, 2013! Diagnosed two months after
her 3rd birthday, Payton fought hard to get through her countless
treatments at SUNY in Syracuse and is now considered in remission.
Payton is from my hometown of Taberg-NY and when my daughter was
diagnosed with cancer in 2009, I learned of Payton’s fight and she
instantly became a beacon of HOPE for us to follow. When she came to my
farm for photos she was every bit the picture of health….she was
glowing! But don’t get the wrong idea. This girl is not normally in
fancy dresses. Payton plays hockey… and she’s really good at it! When I
asked
her what position she played she instantly said, “Defense!”
My kind of girl! Payton loves baseball and the color orange (may have
something to do with NY’s college team, The Syracuse Orangemen…Go
Orange!) and when she is not playing hockey she loves to go camping, and
play with her brother and sister. Keep on rocking, Payton! You are our
little hometown beacon of HOPE and now you can help shine your light for
many more to see and follow!
Hope Session by : KellyAnnePhotography
Meet Rosie
Rosie has Neurofibromatosis or NF1 a
genetic disorder that attacks the body’s nerves with tumors and the
reason she has an inoperable brain tumor; it's called a
Hypothalamic/Chiasm Optic Glioma—Diagnosed 9-7-2007. She also has
Bilateral Optic Nerve Gliomas and Bilateral Optic Nerve Atrophy. At the
same time she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was also diagnosed
with a second life threatening condition called Acquired Obstructive
Hydrocephalus. She has a VP Shunt an internal catheter to drain built-up
brain fluid from her brain. She has had 142 doses of chemo, five
different kinds, 3 different protocols, 19 surgeries, approx. 40
overnight stays in the hospital, at least 27 ER visits, over 1800 shots
and hundreds more pokes and the list goes on and on. Her tumor is
stable, then will grow, the stable then grow, the stable. She had tumor
growth a year ago, but the tumor just stopped before we were going to
start chemo again (medically unexplainable) so she has been off chemo
for two years!! It’s has been six year now since her diagnoses. It's
been a crazy ride, one that will never end for Rosie. She sees 15
different specialists who manage her many different conditions and rare
complications. Due to the main tumors location, she also has Central
Precocious Puberty, Pituitary Gigantism, issues with her heart, extreme
hypertension, neurofibroma (small tumors) on her body and more. She is
often teaching her doctors because they just have never seen a case like
Rosie's before. Rosie is not on chemo right now, but she still spends a
huge amount of time at the hospital depending on the month and cycle of
appointments; we travel downtown Chicago anywhere from 2-8 times a
month. Rosie is an amazing kid, despite all she faces and goes through,
knowing there is no cure, she fights everyday, but not just for herself,
but for all kids with medical issues, NF, brain tumors and pediatric
cancer. She started her own organization called Rosie's Toy Box were she
collects new toys for hospitalized kids. She dresses up as a blood drop
and volunteers her time at blood drives. She publicly speaks at local
high schools and motivates the kids to get involved. She got 150 High
School students to shave their heads with her this year and raised
$18,000 doing it. But that's nothing, she has raised well over $325,000
for her favorite charities and is Chicago Dance Marathons number one
individual fundraiser 5 years in a row and can't be beat!! We have hope,
we have faith and we have love in our lives. We live one day at a time
and enjoy each moment!! We don't know how long Rosie will be with us,
but she is making her mark while she is here!! :) Thank you for your
consideration.
Rosie's support page : http://www.carepages.com/
Hope Session by : jessie hearn photography
Meet Nate
Nate was diagnosed with ALL (acute
lymphoblastic leukemia) and age 3. He endured three and a half years of
chemo, surgeries, hospital stays and ER visits. He is currently four
years off chemo. At the five year mark, he will be considered "cured"
although the fear of relapse, is never far away. Nate believes that his
favorite animal, the owl, got him through treatment so he wanted to
incorporate that into his session.
Nate's support page: www.caringbrige.org\visit\ natewilkos
Hope Session by : Itty Bitty Photique
Meet Brady
Brady is an energetic four-year-old who
was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in August 2012. We got to
spend a super fun morning at Fenway Park, and Brady even got to run the
bases! Aside from the Red Sox, Brady also loves trains (CSX ones, to be
specific. Go big, or go home, right?), John Deere, Mickey Mouse, and the
New England Patriots.
In the last year, Brady has undergone
six cycles of chemo, several MIBG scans, CT scans, bone marrow biopsies
and received multiple blood & platelet transfusions. There have also
been several inpatient stays due to fever and neutropenia. The tumor
and his left adrenal gland were been removed on 11/29/2012. Several
tests and scans were complete in January in preparation for Stem Cell
Transplant. However, the MIBG scan at that time showed 4 spots remained
on his bone (1 on each thigh, 1 on the right lower leg & another on
the left upper arm). We were advised that it is best to go into stem
cell transplant with the least amount of Neuroblastoma. His doctors
decided the next best step was MIBG therapy (basically radiation that is
injected into his central line and only targets the Neuroblastoma).
MIBG therapy was complete in January 2013. In March 2013, he underwent
aStem Cell Transplant which involved high dose chemo and an impatient
stay of approximately 4 weeks; he received his transplant on 3/19/2013.
He completed 12 sessions of radiation therapy (last session was on
5/14/2013). His most recent bone marrow biopsy in June came back
negative for Neuroblastoma! MIBG scans post MIBG therapy and in May
showed only 3 of the 4 spots remained on his bone. On 6/17/2013 he began
ch14.18 Antibody Therapy. He completed 100 days of isolation post stem
cell transplant on 6/27/2013. The most recent MIBG scan was clear! He is
finishing up antibody therapy and will have end of protocol scans
during the first week of December.
Brady's fighter page : Brady's Mission
Hope Session by : Colors of Her Heart - Fine Art and Portrait Photography
Meet Emily
Emily was diagnosed with PreB ALL on
Feb 8, 2012, when she was 21 months old. Because the cancer had spread
to her spinal fluid by the time of diagnosis, and because she failed her
initial Induction Phase of treatment, she is being treated as a High
Risk patient. However, even after an intense year of chemotherapy and
many hospital stays, Emily has not lost her feisty, spunky spirit!
Nicknamed Stitch (after the mischievous character in Lilo & Stitch),
Emily charms doctors and nurses alike with her outgoing personality and
bright smile. She has about one year of Maintenance treatment left.
Emily's support page: http://
Hope Session by : Mindy Newton Photography
Meet Samuel
Samuel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma
at just six years old. He has had intensive chemotherapy, surgery,
radiation therapy, stem cell transplant and differentiation agent
isotretinoin. He finished his treatment two months ago but we have to
start all over again. He is a very strong and brave boy.
Hope Session by : Bara A. Photography
Meet JD
JD was diagnosed with an inoperable
brain tumor called Optic pathway Glioma brain tumor. We have been
battling for over a year now. Our little trooper has battled and won!!!
Last month we had a big day. We walked out if the clinic doors praying
that this is JD's last chemo treatment!!
Hope Session by Lisa Hunderman's Photography
Meet Drake
Drake was diagnosed with Leukemia in
July 2011. Since then he has demonstrated his strength, courage and
fighter spirit fighting cancer. Drake in currently in maintenance and he
takes chemo every day to keep his best chance of beating Leukemia.
Drake is a very outgoing kid who you would never know is going through
treatment at this time. He continues to amaze me at his ability to
swallow pills daily, have a spinal tap almost every month, and when
admitted continues to stay strong and happy. Drake has all the right
qualities to demonstrate that he is still in control and cancer will
never take life away from him. We have been blessed with a chance to
fight cancer and grateful for the possible to allow for Drake to
continue to live a long life. We are just trying to beat cancer one day
at a time.
Drake's support page - www.caringbridge.org/
Hope Session by - Two Creative Photography