Alexandria Schaefer

My daughter Alexandria Schaefer, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on May 17, 2004 at the age of 2 1/2.  It will be a day that we will never forget.  I took her to her pediatrician that day because she was complaining of leg and stomach pain, and was very cranky. 

The first 6 months of treatment were said to be the hardest.  I believe the first month was the hardest for all of us.  Alexandria had to take steroids for 1 month straight; she blew up like a balloon, ate non-stop, could not walk up the stairs, and was very moody.  After she was off the steroids, she returned to old self. Within the next few months, Alex had a port put in, blood was taken, chemo was given, and her hair came out.  We went to the King of Prussia clinic weekly for her treatments.  Alexandria gave us a lot of problems taking her oral medicines, and getting her port accessed.  She has a VERY strong willed personality, but I think in the long run it helped her fight the leukemia. 

The last 1 1/2 years of treatment she was in maintenance.  She only had 2 hospital stays for fevers, and was always anxious to get home.  The nurses and doctors at CHOP were always supportive and caring to us at the hospital and at the clinic.  Alex really grew attached to the staff at the clinic that took care of her. 
 
On July 14, 2006 Alexandria took her last medicine and is now off treatment.  She is a 6 year old who is full of energy, very intelligent, and gorgeous. She is finishing up Kindergarten this year. She enjoys being outside, playing with her brother & friends, loves animals, and singing. She plays t-ball and takes dance.

In July 2008 Alexandria will be Off Treatment for 2 years!  
We are so lucky to live near Philadelphia and being able to have the staff at CHOP treat Alexandria!

Written by: Becky and John Schaefer

Devin Spriggs Jr.

Devin Spriggs and MaryBeth Tursi welcomed a healthy baby boy on September 7, 1997. Unbeknownst to them, their son Devin Spriggs Jr. would soon be in the fight of his life. At the tender age of 3, he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma.

He achieved remission, but in May of 2007 - while a bright and active 3rd grader - his cancer returned. Despite that, Devin spent the first week of this school year in class. Never complaining of pain, Devin instead focused on his friends and schoolwork. His teacher, Mrs. Penny Mossbrucker, and his classmates will forever cherish that week. The following Monday Devin was admitted to CHOP and remained there until his passing. While he was at CHOP for his last weeks, Mrs. Mossbrucker and the classroom

paraprofessionals went to visit him and took a photo book that was made for Devin. Although he lost his hearing, he could read lips and pointed to photos of his classmates and Holly Glen Elementary School staff members.

The entire community was devastated when Devin sadly lost his courageous battle on October 8, 2007 at the tender age of 10.

Friend, student, and son; Devin loved t-ball, karate, hangin' at the beach, and going to school. His winning personality and bright smile won the hearts of everyone he met. He left his impression on the Holly Glen Home and School Association when - less than a week after surgery - he walked with a passion during a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Devin will be missed by many and forgotten by none. On April 18th, Devin's Elementary School dedicated a Garden in his memory. A plaque bearing his image reads, "This garden is dedicated to our student, classmate, and friend Devin Spriggs, Jr. As this garden grows, we are reminded of the love that Devin has forever planted in our hearts."

Devin will forever be a hero to those who knew him.

Sydney Marie

Sydney Marie’s story began on Thursday, May 17th, 3 days after her 7th birthday. We took Sydney to the doctor because she was lethargic, had some unusual bruising, and was quite pale. After blood results and a doctor's visit, we were sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital where she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Sydney received intense chemotherapy for eight months and is now in the maintenance stage of treatment where she still receives chemo every Monday, but less intense and will continue until the conclusion of her 2 1/2 to 3 year treatment program. Although we have a long way to go, she is doing very well and has been quite the trooper.

Sissy (as her brother Hunter, mom, and dad) like to call her has amazed us all with how brave and strong she has been throughout this battle. And, not only has she been brave, she has remained quite the socialite, drama queen, and DIVA at the same time. It is not rare to hear her at the hospital belting out songs from “Annie” to the nurses and anyone else that will listen or singing and laughing in her hospital bed at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. She loves people and gives the best hugs to everybody! She loves music, loves to dance and loves to watch musicals. And, she can’t wait to get back to Hippotherapy (riding horses for therapy). She was able to meet and sing backstage with the entire cast of “Annie” at a performance earlier this year. It brought tears to all of our eyes. She also loves swinging, playing outside and playing with her dog Reecie. Sydney is loved by so many people and has touched many hearts during her battle, but as far as Sydney is concerned, the battle is WON!! If you would like to keep up with our little DIVA, Sydney, and her journal, check out her site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/sydneymarie.

Lina Rak

Lina Rak was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 16 months on 4/16/01 after a week of stomach flu-like symptoms. At diagnosis we discovered that the black eye and constant watery eye (which we attributed to a normal childhood fall) were actually hallmarks of stage IV neuroblastoma.

Lina was a remarkably happy and communicative baby. She retained this charming personality throughout her treatment: 7 rounds of chemo, tandem stem cell transplants, monoclonal antibodies, radiation, and Accutane. She was a cooperative, though assertive patient, incorporating medical jargon into her toddler vocabulary: “Tylenol,” “bactrim,” and “CT scan” were just part of her conversations with her beloved nurses at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic. We remember how adamant she was as a 2 year old during her stem cell transplants. She had to put her heart monitor stickers on by herself, and she was insistent on “the clip” for her pulse ox, not “the sticker.”

Lina beat the odds, and is a happy, healthy 8-year-old today. She loves her 2nd grade class, especially math. She loves to read and play on the computer. She also loves to hang out with her friends. And she occasionally likes playing with her 4 year old brother, Luka, especially when he does what she tells him to!
Lina says it’s fun to host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and she has enjoyed getting her friends involved too. She thinks the best part is “the money counting party” (our annual tradition after the stand). Mom and Dad think the best parts are the survivors who come out to share their stories, and sharing Lina’s story of hope with other families.

Thank you Jay & Liz for continuing Alex's mission to bring hope for a cure to all children with cancer!

The Rak Family - St. Augustine, FL

Isabel May Turse

Isabel May Turse was born on May 8, 1999. She was the first of four much loved children born to Elisa and Joe Turse. Isabel lived a happy and healthy life her first two years. She became bruised and lethargic after her second birthday, but the pediatrician repeatedly sent us home without any testing. We took Isabel to Children's Hospital on our own where she was quickly diagnosed with advanced leukemia (ALL). Isabel's course was not an easy one. She had surgeries, eye and bone marrow relapses, radiation and chemotherapy. Isabel was strong and smart. Her persistence allowed her to succeed when others would have given up.

Isabel loved stickers, Strawberry Shortcake, lollipops, Taco Bell, and Hello Kitty. Cinderella was her favorite princess. Isabel never was without a purse with writing paper and pens for her planning, thoughts and drawings. She loved blueberries, corn on the cob and strawberries. The strawberry plants in her garden still bloom with sweet berries every year around her birthday. Isabel loved to help in the kitchen and watched cooking shows. She always wore dresses and cardigans with a pink headband. Isabel danced ballet and pushed her physical limits with karate, soccer and yoga. She loved movies and created "tickets" for movie night at home. Isabel loved to shop for clothes, accessories, paper and pens.

She was generous, kind and loving, yet spunky for her petite stature. Isabel loved her family and loved to twirl her Mom's hair for comfort. She never met her youngest brother, but one of his first words was Bel.

On November 20, 2005, at home with her Mom and Dad in bed with her, Isabel breathed her last breath. We love and miss Isabel every second of every day. She is forever in our hearts.

Written by: Elisa & Joe Turse

Alex Detore

Alex was just a few days past his 4th birthday when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. He endured surgery, 6 weeks of radiation and 16 months of chemotherapy. His spirits were always high as he became an inspiration for all of us. He was cancer free for one year and then relapsed. During the next three years, he had more surgery, radiation and many rounds of chemotherapy, some of which was experimental as we tried to search for a cure. Alex attended school, played sports and enjoyed time with his friends and family. Alex took part in an Alex's Lemonade Stand in the fall of 2005 in our hometown of Randolph, NJ. He passed away on December 21, 2005 at the Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital in New Brunswick. He is missed by his parents and little sister Madison.

Cameron Robertson

Cameron Robertson was born on September 12, 1997. He had a few minor problems when he was born, but soon was a healthy little boy. At his 1-year well baby visit a mass was found on his liver. Our little boy had a rare liver cancer hepatoblastoma. This is a 1 in a million cancer usually found after symptoms. It was found in stage 1, and we were also told this was the best of the cancers he could have with the best survival. The pediatrician felt the mass while pushing on his belly and acted immediately. After many scans, blood work, and a biopsy the chemo began. Cameron was always eating when he shouldn't have wanted to, and smiling when he was so, so, sick. I guess when you are a baby it makes it easier to go with the flow. (He is still a positive kid!!!) After an 80% liver resection he was free of the tumor that made his belly bulge like a pregnant woman. After more chemo, he was in remission. The check ups continued ever 3 months, then 6 months, and now yearly. He is now cancer free!! This summer is 9 years of remission. We are always amazed by his compassion for others, and his wonderful spirit. He has 2 little sisters he continually keeps busy! Cameron is a competitive swimmer, soccer player, on student council, loves to climb trees, and is an active healthy 10-year-old boy!!!

I am grateful for a thorough pediatrician, and wonderful doctors at CHOP and HUP. I know we are so fortunate to have him and have vowel to never forget that chapter in our lives. Finding a cure is what we as a family strive to see some day in the future.

The photo to the right is Cameron with his 2 little sisters, Skye, and Emma. Easter break all dressed up!

THANK YOU ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND!!!!!!!

-Beth Robertson
Proud mom of a cancer survivor!

Addison Rose

A hero. My hero. Our hero.

Sweet little Addison Rose will live on forever in my heart as a hero. We all awaited Addison’s birth as any other family would. We looked so forward to meeting her, holding her, watching her grow. Little did we know what life held in store for her and what the future would bring.

Addison was born on July 19, 2005. Her birth seemed normal by all accounts. Within just a couple of hours after her birth, though, the doctors and nurses began to realize that something was wrong. Addison was placed into the NICU for the next couple of days. It was shocking and surreal to see this perfect on the outside, beautiful little 8 pound baby girl in the NICU next to all the little preemies. Nothing was making sense. Addison’s little belly swelled as time went on. Tests eventually determined that she had internal bleeding and the swelling in her belly was caused by all the blood she was losing. After 48 hours in the NICU, she was flown by helicopter to Iowa City’s Children’s Hospital. The wonderful doctors and nurses in Iowa City determined that Addison had a Rhabdoid tumor on her kidney that had ruptured. Cancer. The word that turns your world upside down in an instant. Doctors performed surgery but were unable to remove the cancer because it had spread throughout her little body. After 9 short days here on this earth, little Addison Rose Love won her battle with cancer and now rests in the arms of Jesus.

I am so grateful that I was able to spend a little time with Addison before she died. Even though I couldn’t hold her, I touched her, talked to her, kissed her little head, and tried to soothe her and let her know she was loved. She truly touched my heart in a very deep, deep way. To honor her memory, alongside Addison’s parents and siblings, we’ve held our own lemonade stands and fundraisers to help Alex’s Lemonade Stand. (See www.Addisonslove.com for info on what we’ve done). All of the children in this world that ever have to suffer with cancer are heroes. My hope is that one day soon, we’ll find a cure. Way to go Alex’s Lemonade Stand for working tirelessly toward that goal.

Written With Love by Sharie Bergquist (affectionately referred to as Aunt Jelly by Addison’s siblings!)

Sydney Marie Bernard