Caden Shrauger - Stage IV Neuroblastoma - www.team-fc.com - www.caringbridge.org/visit/cadenshrauger/journal - www.bentownefoundation.org This page was started in order to post the pictures of support across the United States for 4 year old Caden Shrauger during his fight against Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a solid tumor type of cancer that has spread to Caden's bone marrow and different bones throughout his body. Caden is currently undergoing treatment at Seattle Children's Hospital that will involve intense chemotherapy (starting on Saturday April 7, 2012), surgery after Round 5 of chemo to remove the primary tumor site on his adrenal gland, an autologous bone marrow transplant (Caden's own healthy bone marrow instead of bone marrow from someone else), radiation, and antibody and vitamin A therapy. Altogether, the treatment course for high risk neuroblastoma takes about 15 months, most or all of which will need to take place in Seattle. Caden's Aunt Robin and her brother-in-law Steve have been working in secret to collect pictures of people supporting Caden from each of the 50 states. These people have each shaved their head in honor of Caden! The hope was to get all 50 states before announcing the project to Caden and his family, but a recent post by Caden's Mom on his CaringBridge website pushed us to post these pictures sooner. July 2 used to be my “bad luck day.” In 2007, I miscarried my first pregnancy on July 2. In 2008, when Caden was only 30 hours old, he had a problem with his heart on that day. Always thought that experience was going to be the worst one of my life, at least involving my children…. Anyways, after an uneventful July 2 in 2009 while on vacation in Idaho, I decided that July 2 would be my day to reflect on the strength of my character and the events that have shaped it, and although not perfect, be thankful for my family’s health and happiness. In 2010 and 2011, I quietly did just that. Wish I could do the same this year, but 2012 is again shaping how I define strength and character, and let’s just say that I no longer believe in “bad luck days.” But I do believe that journeys such as ours must be embraced, and I look forward to the day when we can look back on this experience and think positively on how it has improved who we are. So this July 2, I am especially thankful that we have Caden. He may be one sick little kiddo, but he is here fighting this fight like the incredible little person I’ve always known him to be. So in honor of this, I’m going to be a little dramatic and say that I’m going to shave my head. All 20 inches of natural brunette (with maybe a couple short grays that have appeared since our arrival in Seattle). And I’m going to do it on July 17. Why July 17 you may ask? On July 17, 2005, a baby boy named Ben Towne was born. Ben lost his battle with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma in 2008, and his parents started a foundation that is working to accelerate and change the way childhood cancer is treated and cured. They have raised millions and are at the forefront of childhood cancer research, located here in Seattle.
100% of the donations made go toward pediatric cancer research (and it’s tax-deductible). Pediatric cancer research is severely underfunded, and cancer is the top disease killer of children. And the treatments are beyond grueling. Kids should not have to go through this. Heck, adults shouldn’t either. But to watch your innocent child suffer on a daily basis and not be guaranteed that it will even work is, I can promise you, every parent’s worst nightmare. This is why I am shaving my head. To maybe, just maybe, end these nightmares. Honor Caden by making a donation, even just $20, to the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. If everyone that reads this does just that, we will have raised over $5,000. And I will shave my head, in honor of Ben on his birthday, for this thing called “curing cancer” he’s got going. Donations can be made via their website: www.bentownefoundation.org and click on “donate.” We will be notified of any donations made in Caden’s honor. Again, THANK YOU applies here. Maybe we should just paint that on my head. :)
Additional information about Caden and his journey can be found at:
www.team-fc.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/cadenshrauger/journal
