Cancer sucks; plain and simple.
Pediatric cancer is one of my biggest fears since becoming a mother. I have partnered with Light the Night campaign to bring attention to this cause that is very near and dear to my heart, pediatric cancer, more specifically Leukemia. You see, when my nephew was just a preschooler, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. I can’t even begin to make you understand what a blow that was to our family. I was only in my mid-twenties and I hadn’t had children yet. It made me question everything I ever knew or believed. I can’t even fathom how my brother and his wife remained so stoic. I felt so helpless all I could do was cry for weeks and pray.
As a mother now, myself, I know how my brother and his wife made if through…they had to. When you are a parent, you lose the luxury of choosing to collapse in a pool of snot and tears when the world beats you down, you just have to suck it up and be strong for your children and then you collapse behind closed doors. You stay strong for your child until you make it out the other side; healthy and happy. My brother and his wife are still two of the strongest people that I’ve ever known. They are my heroes.
If you can survive a child with cancer, I’m pretty sure the rest of life is just a cake walk.
I wish no parent ever had to go through what my brother, his wife and my sweet nephew had to go through ever again. I wish we could eradicate all cancers (pediatric and adult alike), but especially Leukemia and Lymphoma because I’ve seen firsthand the toll it takes on a small child and his parents. Thankfully, my nephew went into a full remission and we just sent him off to his freshman year at college. He is an amazing kid who makes the world a better place and none of that would not have been possible without lifesaving treatments and advancements in science and medicine that made it possible. I thank God every night that my nephew is here and for the doctors who saved him.
This fall, let’s walk to the end of cancer by joining The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night Walk fundraising campaign, which brings together families and communities to honor blood cancer survivors, as well as those lost to the diseases, and to shine a light on finding cures and providing access to treatments for blood cancer patients.
One group that deserves our attention is children with cancer. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents less than 20 years old. While extraordinary progress has been made in blood cancer treatments, the journey back to a healthy life can be a long one. For these kids, returning to school means additional challenges, from maintaining friendships to keeping up with schoolwork. You can make an impact.
This year, Sylvan Learning is partnering with LLS through Light The Night, with a commitment to raise $250,000 and to donate more than 12,000 hours of free tutoring services in nearly 200 communities nationwide to help young blood cancer patients and their families with the transition back to school. Here’s how you can help:
There are nearly 200 Light the Night walks nationwide this fall. It’s easy to walk by registering and joining a team. Learn more about how LLS and Sylvan are helping young cancer patients and their families manage. Find a walk in your area, and join a Sylvan Learning walk team in supporting this great cause.
I’m going to join Light the Night with my family. Won’t you join us?
Let’s all walk to the end of cancer and, at the same time, you can help kids get back into the swing of school, often while they are still undergoing treatment.