Krystal Hansen, Christian’s mom, has one dream – for a future where kids do not have to know what cancer is so that no parent has to experience the heartache that she has endured after losing her son Christian at just 4-years-old to neuroblastoma.
 
Christian was a very loving little boy who enjoyed and excelled at sports and being “rough and tumble” with his dad, but was also extremely compassionate providing smiles and hugs to all who he came into contact with – particularly his sisters who he loved fiercely. Like so many little boys - cars, trucks, video games, Goofy, coloring, dinosaurs and pirates also topped his list of favorites.
 
Just after Christian turned 3-years-old in July of 2003, he began limping for no known reason. When Motrin didn’t help and the pain intensified and spread to his side, the family’s pediatrician sent the Hansens to their local children’s hospital. After a scan was performed to determine if it was appendicitis, Krystal’s world was turned upside down – a mass was found that was possibly cancer. Several tests later confirmed the worst – Christian had stage IV neuroblastoma, an advanced stage of an already hard to treat cancer.
 
Christian bravely endured a litany of treatments as part of a specific treatment protocol for his type of cancer including surgery to remove his tumor, 5 high dose chemotherapy treatments, bone marrow aspirations, stem cell recovery procedures, 2 auto bone marrow transplants and 13 days of radiation treatments – all within a period of 9 months.  Throughout it all, he remained his spirited and strong self – smiling and laughing and never asking why he was in pain or when he would feel better.
 
After re-evaluating Christian’s status slightly more than a year after his diagnosis – the Hansens were given the devastating news that the cancer had spread and there were no further treatments that would help Christian. He wasn’t expected to live past Halloween of that year.
 
Shocked and overwhelmed by this news, Krystal and her family had trouble processing what the doctor’s had just told them. In addition, Christian’s outward appearance didn’t give any indication that he was dying of cancer – he looked like a healthy little boy. The Hansens took one last family vacation and continued to hold onto hope, while enjoying every minute and moment of their time together. Christian’s strong spirit and will enabled him to survive four months longer than the doctors predicted; he drew his last breath during the evening of February 7, 2005 in Krystal’s arms.
 
To honor Christian on what would be his 12th birthday, the Hansen family is holding an Alex’s Lemonade Stand during National Lemonade Days. In addition to celebrating Christian’s life, they hope to raise awareness of the need for funding for childhood cancer research so that no other family has to hear the words, ”your child has cancer.”
 
Mom’s quote:  “Christian exuded courage to everyone and smiled even in his last few hours. He was the best person I have ever had the privilege of knowing and I am proud to call him my son and know that I will forever be his mother.”

Information provided by Krystal Hansen, Christian’s Mom
May 2012