The Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Hero Families are inspirational families who have a child who has fought or is fighting cancer. These families not only drive ALSF in its fight for childhood cancer cures; these families are also some of our most dedicated supporters.
Heather Banaszek works for ALSF as the Community Outreach Specialist in Northern California. Heather is also the mom to her daughter Gabrielle and to her son C.J. C.J. battled chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), an adult leukemia that is very rare in children. When he was just 13 years old, C.J. passed away from a fungal infection that was a complication of his treatment.
CML is a cancer of the white blood cells that starts inside the bone marrow. It accounts for less than three-percent of all childhood leukemia types.
This year, in honor of what would have been C.J.’s 15th birthday, the Banaszeks hosted one of ALSF’s special events, Striking Out Childhood Cancer in Petaluma, California. Held on October 18, 2015, the inaugural birthday bowling bash was a smashing success, raising over $90,000 for childhood cancer research.
We interviewed Heather about her inspirational son C.J. and Striking Out Childhood Cancer.
Tell us about C.J.—his favorite things, what he loved (and did not love), what made him laugh:
C.J. had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh with his quick and sarcastic wit. He loved to write, draw, and build Legos. He completed the Lego Death Star (3,803 pieces) in his first ten days in the hospital for his second (and ultimately third) bone marrow transplant. He had a great group of friends. Even though he was a naturally quiet kid (his nickname was Mouse), kids were really drawn to him. However, his best friend was his sister, Gabrielle. They slept in bunk beds and talked every night after I tucked them in.
Can you tell us more about C.J.’s diagnosis and treatment?
C.J. was diagnosed with CML, chronic myelogenous leukemia. It is an adult leukemia and very rare in children. He did very well during his first bone marrow transplant and was home in a record five weeks. He felt good and we thought he was on the road to recovery. Then he relapsed a short two months later. It was decided that he needed a second bone marrow transplant, so he went in again. The second one never engrafted, so we went back to the original donor and asked him to donate again and he agreed. So C.J. had a third bone marrow transplant and it worked again! However, severe graft vs. host disease followed and he was in the hospital for 8 ½ months straight as they chased symptom after symptom. Finally he was released and we went home where I did the majority of his nursing. What we didn’t realize is that during that long time in the hospital when the new marrow wasn’t engrafting, he acquired a fungal infection. Ultimately that fungal infection spread to his brain and he was put on hospice and passed away.
How did C.J.’s journey inspire you?
For a quiet kid nicknamed the Mouse, he was the strongest of us all. He did everything the doctors asked with a thumbs up. He continued to care about others throughout his long ordeal and rarely complained as I don’t think he wanted any of us to feel bad. He inspires each of us in our family to be better people and to work harder every day.
How did you come up with the idea of a bowling fundraiser?
It was my husband’s idea. He has a friend from college who lost a son and had advised to do something positive to stay busy on his birthday. Cas (my husband) was working out at the gym one day watching Sports Center and saw a clip about a bowling fundraiser and the idea was born. C.J. loved to bowl, and it seemed like a perfect way to celebrate him and his birthday while raising money and helping to continue his fight.
How did you get the word out about your event?
C.J. has a huge following. Shortly after he was diagnosed, we started a Facebook page called CJ Updated. He now has nearly 800 members of the group. We used that as well as our personal Facebook pages, and I sent a lot of direct emails. We also hung posters at shops around town and received a couple writeups in the local newspaper, The Argus Courier.
How much did you raise? How many people attended?
Over 300 people attended, and as of this writing, we have raised over $90,000.
Can you tell me about your role at ALSF and some of the other community outreach efforts in your region?
The bulk of my work in this first year (my one year anniversary will be in January) was been focused on schools. C.J. was much like Alex and very well-known so there are a lot of people who are reaching out to me and asking to help and host lemonade stands. I have also had the pleasure of reconnecting with UCSF where C.J. was treated and talking with some of the ALSF-funded researchers.
What advice would you give to another hero family who wants to make a difference?
Search your heart for what will make you feel good and for what will help you feel like you are making a difference. If your child is still fighting, continue to make them the priority. Your family probably has a lot on its plate, and if treatment interrupts your plans for a lemonade stand or other event, that's okay. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If your child is able, let them be part of the process and allow them to feel the pride of making a difference.
