Last year, at the age of 8-1/2, my son Connor was diagnosed with a Wilms' Tumor (nephroblastoma), a form of pediatric kidney cancer. He immediately underwent surgery to remove a large tumor, along with his left kidney, and began chemotherapy.

Thanks to extensive prior research, this treatment protocol for Wilms' Tumor is well-established, so we had every reason to be optimistic. Still, complications emerged, and he required additional, emergency surgery and extended hospitalizations, all while still undergoing chemotherapy. In short, his journey wasn't easy, but a year later, he is healthy and well, and his scans show No Evidence of Disease.

We were fortunate that Connor's condition, while critical at times, was well-understood and treatable.  Some children aren't as fortunate, and Connor wants to raise money for cancer research "so other kids don't have to go through what I went through."

Pediatric cancer needs dedicated research and funding to explore the causes (few of which are yet known) and potential cures for cancers that specifically target children - and to make sure treatments get the best outcomes from the least invasive treatments.

Connor and his school raised more than $11,000 for Alex's in April, and I will do my part by running the New York Marathon with Team Lemon.

Help me help Connor to help others like and less fortunate than him, and donate now. Thank you!!