Meet Julianna

Julianna is a 12 year old girl who is a Girl Scout, takes dance classes and plays soccer. She enjoys singing, playing violin, and performing in plays. She also has Ewing's Sarcoma, a bone cancer that usually strikes adolescents and young adults. It often starts in long bones of the body such as the femur or pelvis, and can spread to soft tissue. In late August of 2012, Julianna began complaining of hip pain. The pain increased over the next few weeks and she started to experience other symptoms such as fatigue and unexplained fevers. An x-ray of the hip showed nothing. Blood work for Lyme disease came back negative. Finally an MRI showed an abnormal growth in Julianna's hip, and she immediately went to a pediatric oncologist and the cancer was found. Julianna is now being treated at the Tomorrows Children's Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Hackensack University Medical Center. She is undergoing intensive chemotherapy that requires hospitalization for about 8 days a month, plus regular clinic checkups. She receives home instruction so that she can continue her schooling during treatment. As of January 2013, scans showed that chemotherapy has eliminated the tumors in Julianna's body. Her doctor declared her "NED"--no evidence of disease. She continued to undergo chemotherapy treatment until June 2013. In early June 2013, Julianna was diagnosed with moderate chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy: a heart condition. Basically, her heart muscles were weakened by one of her chemotherapy drugs. This is treatable with medication, but complicated treatment. Since Julianna was almost finished with treatment and had been NED for several months, her doctors decided it was advisable to cancel the 14th and last chemo treatment. However, an end-of-treatment scan in July 2013 showed a recurrence of the tumors in her pelvis and upper femur. Julianna will continue treatment with medications that are tolerated by her heart.
Julianna's caringbrige: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/juliannaedel
Hope session by Essential Life Photography  

Meet Alexis

Alexis was 3 when she was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. It is a bone and soft tissue cancer that was located in her right maxillary. She has been in remission for 14 years. Alexis is currently have multiple surgeries to correct some of the damage that was caused by the radiation and chemotherapy. As you can tell from these photos, she is a beautiful young lady!
Hope Session by Kristyn Burnette Photography

Meet Xander

I accepted Xander's Gold Hope Session as a "survivor". I had enjoyed reading about Xander and couldn't wait to meet him and his mother. I knew Xander had been through a great deal. He was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in 2011 as a kindergartener. He endured treatments and missed most of the spring of kindergarten and the fall of first grade. What a joy it has been for this family to have a "normal" second grade year. However, that joy has been short-lived. After shooting a few pics, I asked Xander's mom how long he had been blessed with a good report and she shared that they had just gotten word that his last tests had shown cancer- again. This means another battle for this young man who has already been through so much. Though this took my breath away, Xander and his mother were able to discuss it calmly and with positivity. They are planning on waiting until June to begin the next round of chemo so he can finish his second grade year uninterrupted. In my short time with Xander and his mom, it became clear that the remarkable boy I had read about was no exaggeration. Xander is a very creative and artistic young man. He got a camera for Christmas and brought it along to document his session. He loves movies, paintball, and is excited about being on the baseball team right now. Despite everything Xander has been through personally, he is very selfless and has a heart for helping others. He organized a gift giving program for kids who are in the hospital during the holiday season. In fact, when his birthday rolled around, he asked for support of this cause in lieu of gifts for him. I would say he's not the typical eight-year-old, right? Others have recognized Xander's generosity, too. He and his family have just recently returned from New York where he received an award for his charitable actions. In the short time we spent together, I was struck by Xander's spirit and his mother's grace. I wish you the best as you battle on, sweet boy. Images and write-up by: Wendy Wicker Phillips Photography

Meet Jette

Jette is an amazing 12 year old fighter with determination, wit and a warrior attitude. Jette was diagnosed on August 12, 2007 with Ewing's Sarcoma just days after his 7th birthday. After 14 months of chemotherapy, treatments and multiple surgeries that included removal of 3 ribs, Jette beat this disease and was in remission for four years. After his mother noticed an alarming change to his chest wall, he was diagnosed again with the same cancer on September 13, 2012. This time it has come back more aggressively with the mass covering such a large area in his chest that it causes major pressure to his organs and has endured a collapsed lung and has difficulty eating as well. Jette has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy again, multiple blood transfusions and is getting ready for a two-day surgery in mid January. During this surgery, he will need his whole left chest wall replaced and rebuilt including peck muscles, replacement ribs and lung removal. This young fighter just went through a prep surgery to prepare for the big surgery. His surgeon prepped the graft site and muscle on his lower abdomen so they can be moved around to shield his new titanium ribs. Jette's team at Banner Children's at Cardon Children's will be preparing him for this surgery and a recovery that will last several weeks. Jette has fought so hard and has been victorious once before against Ewing's Sarcoma. His strength and determination is evident in his spirit and comittment to prove another victory. Jette has been a huge inspiration to other fighter's as well. Along with this determination comes a fun and witty sense of humor. Throughout all that he has endured, he is still quick to crack up at a joke and has even been known to break out a little Gangnam style. Jette's family and he share this fun sense of humor, positive attitude and fighter spirit. Jette enjoys video games, zombies and super heroes. His favorite place is Disneyland/World and loves the beach as well. He just recently got to play video games on a 15 foot screen to close out chemotherapy week. Jette has been surrounded by support from organizations like HopeKids, The Jessie Rees foundation, Go 4 The Goal, Wayne Industries, Coyoties Charities, SanTan Football Leagues and many others. He has been able to meet Sparky from ASU, Mr. Nash #18 and Howler from the Coyotes and received a team signed hockey stick. Desert Mountain Elementary School in Queen Creek even held a Jette's Journey Fundraiser Fair for him. His sister's cheer gym AZ Fusion partnered up with Baci Italian Bistro to hold a dinner fundraiser as well. Jette's Journey is his facebook page to document his treatment and progress. With the love and support of his friends, family, community and medical staff, he will beat this and remain victorious.
Images by: Carbella Photography

Meet Taylor

Introducing Taylor, one of the most incredible and beautiful girls who just happens to have cancer. She is full of life and she had no interest in allowing this disease to define who she is. Last September Taylor woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away. They discovered that she has Ewings Sarcoma in her sinus. Her cancer is rare just like she is. She has already completed two out of fourteen chemo treatments and will be treated with 7 weeks of radiation shortly. She loves life, hanging with friends and giraffes! As you can see here she has the most beautiful blue eyes! Images by: Kathy King Photography

Meet Alicia

Alicia is a fun loving 4 year old princess with a sweet smile and the most beautiful eyes. She loves to play with her barbies, go to the park, and play games. She loves Hello Kitty, pink, and all things girly. Alicia is one tough little cookie. She is fighting Ewings Sarcoma and is kicking cancer’s butt! She is currently being treated with chemo therapy in preparation for future surgeries. Meeting her family you will discover quickly she is one loved little girl. Her mom is staying strong and by her side for the fight. The strength these two possess is unstoppable! Despite everything Alicia has faced over the last few months she remains silly, sweet, and sassy.
Images by: Cheryl Logan Photography LLC

Meet Saxton

Eleven-year-old Saxton loves sports, video games and telling jokes. His love of the game may have just saved his life. Four weeks ago, after he was injured on the football field, x-rays discovered a rare but highly aggressive cancer in his pelvis. Ewings Sarcoma, as it is known, usually remains undetected until the damage it causes is fatal. With the early detection, Saxton has the chance to be on the offense. Soon he will undergo his second round of chemotherapy and after that, his family is moving to Houston where Saxton will be admitted to Texas Children's Hospital and take back his life and his health, one play at a time. TGHP photogarpher, Nadia Hurtt Photography, had the honor of surprising Saxton with a photo shoot with a home field advantage. When Saxton arrived with his family at the Aloha Stadium, he assumed they were shooting outside. Boy was he wrong! Thanks to the wonderful people at Aloha Stadium, they were granted full access to the site. After an emotional but exciting session, Saxton was exhausted. After telling jokes all morning, he finally laughed, “I have the stamina of a 92-year-old and the speed of a 3-year-old.”
Thank you Saxton and family for letting The Gold Hope Project help cheer you on. You are an inspiration.
Images by: Nadia Hurtt Photography