Angels of the National Angel Quilt

Paige-Nicole-Peterson

Peter-Landon-Fox

Quinton-Martin

Rebecca-Lynn-Wade

Rebecca was born on a bright morning, July 21, 1999, 7 lbs, 7 oz's, 21" long, our first child, and a beautiful little girl. She was diagnosed at 8 months of age, the doctor's struggled to find a dosage of chemotherapy suitable for such a small child, and struggled to find a sure diagnosis. She fought hard through numerous rounds of chemo, radiation, experimental treatments, blood transfusions, surgeries, strokes, vision loss, all while struggling the road we all take to be a child- learning to crawl, walk, and talk. She was extremely gifted despite her issues, wise beyond her years, and shared her unfaltering happiness and infectious laughter with everyone she met. She loved the color purple, tea parties with Grandma, Sarah McLaughlin, Classical Composers, and The Beatles ( thanks to Grandpa ), she dreamt of being a ballerina, and of one day raising her own baby ( who at the time she promised would be named Dumbo ). Truly and Angel in every way, we lost our beautiful girl to her long hard battle just a few months after her 5th birthday, long before the days of her life should have ended. Her last breath will always haunt me, but her spirit is ever encouraging, and has taught me that no matter what you are dealt, you can always make the best of what you have.
I love you always- Mommy

Rebekah-Mae-Shayna-Crowe

Reggie-Corbett

Richard-Allen-James-lll

Ricky, also known as Superman, was almost 2 on 04/01/07 when he was brought to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta with severe constipation. Ricky had a tumor blocking his rectum and after 4 days & several tests, it was confirmed - he had Rhabdomyosarcoma. He completed 42 weeks of chemo with 28 treatments of radiation which ended in January 2008. His first post-treatment scans were clean but by his 6 months scans, there was a small tumor on his prostate. Ricky began another 42 weeks of more advanced chemo during which he also had surgery to remove his bladder, his prostate, surrounding lymph nodes & an extended portion of his urethra. His transverse colon was also removed to create a conduit for his urine. At the end of treatment in February 2008, Ricky again had clear scans which continued for 6 months when small lesions were found on his lungs. A 3rd chemo session was started but the lesions continued to grow and Ricky developed both heart and kidney failure. Ricky loved life and throughout his 3 year fight, he beat cancer twice. He always loved coming home to see his puppies & kitties and of course to see his friends and play. Ricky earned his angel wings at 11:07pm 5/23/10 in his mother’s arms with his daddy & sister by his side a week before his 5th birthday.

Rita-Farha

Our lovely daughter, who brightened our hearts every day, was born on March 25, 1992. She loved people, animals, and was curious about everything. Her dreams were bigger than life. She wanted to become a psychologist and help children in particular. Modeling was another dream of Rita's, but most of all she was her dedicated and loyal to her immediate family, which she treasured and loved. At the age of 14, Rita was diagnosed with brain tumor. Still with a big smile, Rita encouraged her family not to be sad; she stayed strong for us and did every possible test and treatment to fight the cancer. She adored her team of Kaiser physicians and brightened even their lives with her kindness and smile. Although Rita fought with all her strength, she was ultimately conquered by her evil cancer on April 16, 2006 - a day we did only physically lose her. Rita's only other sibling; a brother named Sammr, once had a wish in school which was to cure Rita's cancer.

Rita, our angel, lives in all of our families' heart and we will one day be with her again.

River-Rainwater-Matlock

October 8,2007 River was diagnoised with rhabdomyosarcoma. We were devestated our family, friends and our entire little town. Cancer was a very scary word to us but all we could do was hang on to God and fight and fight River did. Despite a very hard chemo treatment plan he was always up beat and never let it beat him down, he wouldnt allow it. Our family hung in through some of the most difficult times to come in our life,We were gone to tulsa 2 or three days a week and spent the summer of 2008 in Memphis, TN at St judes but when we were together as a family we celebrated together. In october 2008 River had to stop treatment because of damage done to his liver, He was happy cancer free, Life was good again, until march 2009 it had come back and this time with a vengence. We were a family and town that was heart broken and a family friend decided to do a fund raiser to help raise money for more cost and she formed a coed softball tournament and friends and family started Team River. It was a lot of fun! January 28,2010 River lost his battle with cancer but gained something way more beautful, his angel wings, and though he is sorley missed we still remeber him always in our hearts. We still have the coed s oftball tournament every year in may and it funds his memorial scholarship.

Robbie-Tidmore

Robby-Alcoran

Roy-Mackenzie-Sykes

Russell-Witek

Russell entered Heaven at 1:26 am on March 29th, 2009. He lived 5400 full days. He is survived by his brother, Garrett and parents, Karen & Brian. He rarely complained. Despite none of the treatments curing him he was always ready to try something new. Russell had a PNET brain tumor. This type is known to regrow. He had his third brain tumor resection on December 9th, 2008 at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. An MRI two weeks prior showed regrowth. He had his second brain tumor resection on July 29th, 2008 at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. An MRI three weeks prior showed that the tumor had regrown. He was not showing any symptoms of it being back. Nearly a year earlier, July 24th, 2007, he had his first brain resection to remove a tumor found only the day before. The tumor was malignant and classified as a PNET. While this Carepage tells his story, Russell’s previous and complete cancer story goes back to 1998... On June 13th, 1998 Russell was admitted to Children’s Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Chicago with symptoms of low red blood count, very pale and tired, and a persistent cough. Russell was the ring bearer in his uncle’s wedding the day before and was bribed down the aisle with licorice. After a bone marrow aspiration, Russell was diagnosed on Monday June 15th with ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) one day before his 4th birthday. Chemotherapy started within the hour. Russell’s chemo plan would last 130 weeks (2.5 years). Within 30 days Russell was considered in remission due to some very aggressive chemo. During this first 30 days much of Russell’s chemo consisted of many pills. Russell went from struggling taking pills with Hershey’s chocolate in a spoon to downing multiple pills at a time with water. Chemo continued thru the summer. In the fall and winter, chemo consisted of 6 - 4 day stays at CMH for IV chemo that made Russell very sick. By the next spring Russell (and family) was able to take his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. The rest of 1999 breezed by as Russell went into his Maintenance portion of his chemo plan. Russell and family returned from our yearly 4th of July trip to Iowa in 2000. Russell had a check up at CMH on the 7th. The results were not good. The CBC found leukemia “blasts” cells in his blood. The bone marrow aspiration and spinal tap confirmed it - the cancer was back. Time to go to plan B - a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant. The chemo was immediately changed to a more aggressive type. Within 2 weeks they had found 6 matches to Russell’s bone marrow (matching 6 antigens). Over a period of weeks the transplant team had reduced the choice down to 2. Over the next 3 months Russell continued his aggressive chemo plan. In the beginning of October, Russell underwent 2 weeks of radiation at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. The radiation and chemo was eliminating all of Russell’s bone marrow and preparing his body for the transplant. On October 18th , 2000, Russell received a transfusion over a period of an hour of stem cells from a donated umbilical cord blood, frozen and saved in a cord blood bank in St. Louis. With no bone marrow, his body was not producing any blood. Over the next few months Russell received many transfusions while his body recovered. The stem cells grafted to the inside of Russell’s larger bones and started producing blood cells. Russell was in isolation for 30 days at CMH then moved to the Ronald McDonald House nearby, staying there for another 30 days. Russell was home in time for Christmas. He received transfusions and care at home over the next several months. By the summer of 2001, Russell was a healthy 7 year old boy playing soccer and baseball. In 2005, Russell celebrated 5 years of being cancer free. In 2007, Russell spent most of July sick, being treated for head aches, sinus infections and dizzyness. On July 23rd 2007, Russell was taken for a CAT Scan and follow up MRI. Both showed the tumor in the right front part of his brain. The story now continues on this CarePage. Thank you for the prayers and support over the past years and in the days and weeks to come. Brian (Dad), Karen (Mom), Garrett (brother) and Russell

Ryder-Richards

Ryker-Liam-Wright

Ryker was born on February 21, 2013 to Jaime & Robert Wright in Harrisburg, PA. We were so excited to meet our little bundle of joy. As he took his first breath he appeared to be perfectly healthy. The day we left the hospital he had an exam which showed he appeared to have cataracts in both his eyes. We took him to Hershey Medical Center and it was confirmed. He had his first surgery at 1 month old to remove the cataract and his second surgery 6 days later. From the age of 6 weeks he had to wear contact lenses to be able to see. This was very difficult to put contacts in a baby but in no time he caught on to the routine and mommy mastered it like a pro. At his 2 month checkup he got his immunizations and everything looked good with him. Then 10 days later while changing his diaper, I discovered a small lump on the back of his right hip area. After an ultrasound and an MRI they still had no clue what this lump was. It began to shrink so it was ruled it was a hematoma. At his next checkup, he recieved immunizations again. Days later, the lump reappeared and seemed larger. We had another ultrasound which confirmed it was larger. After an MRI and biopsy it was confirmed that Ryker had a rare and aggressive cancer called extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor and we were told he had a very poor prognosis. Our little boy was so precious, through everything he went through he always had a smile on his face. He loved to watch football with daddy on Sundays and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs. He loved listening to country music with mommy. He enjoyed playing with his sister and 2 older brothers. Ryker earned his angel wings in the arms of his parents on December 15 at 9 months old . He will always be our little hero. We will always love and miss you baby boy!

www.facebook.com/rykersracetorecovery

Ryley Skuro

Sam-Hutchinson

Samuel-Tyler-Kidd

Santina-Woolley

Saoirse-Craig-Fitzgerald

Sarah-Council

Sarah’s life was one of happiness and love. She shared her life with her parents and her brother and sister. They meant the world to her. Her brother, Andrew thinks that she hung the moon! Sarah and Emma are best friends through and through. It is so amazing to see how much they really do look alike. The old saying “Best Friends Forever” runs solid with these three children!

Sarah was a student at Laurel Christian School. She had a loyalty to her school and her friends that kept her going. She loved school and most of all learning new things. She always wanted to be at school no matter how bad she felt. Sarah’s will was so much stronger than most. She graduated 6th grade on May 19, 2009. Sarah’s goal in life was to dig dinosaurs up!!

Sarah’s parents will miss Sarah so much! Sarah had become their best friend too. She most definitely had a way of having people fall deeply in love with her. Sarah loved God’s word and she would recite the Lord’s Prayer quite often in the last weeks here with us. She gave her heart and soul to Jesus on March 19, 2007. It was a beautiful service. Sarah was wearing a baptismal gown and looked like the “true” angel that she is. Most people said she looked the happiest they had ever seen her. She really knew what she was doing.

Father God, I thank you for the wonderful gift of Sarah. She was and is by far one of the very best things that ever happened to me. The day she was born was one of the happiest of my life and the day she left this world was as well. Give her a kiss for me and let her know I love her…. Amen…….

Sarah-McClarnon

Sarah E. McClarnon (Sari) was born on a hazy morning, July 29, 1993 and was a beautiful day.... She was originally diagnosed at her 3 year old checkup with a Wilm’s tumor. After surgery, chemo and radiation she was in remission for almost 4 years. She relapsed at age 7 and spent 49 days in Boston having an autologous bone marrow transplant. She relapsed again at age 10...she fought a long, courageous battle for most of her short life.

She was a happy child and loved to play... with her little sister, Emily, her dogs Sammy, then Allie and her cat Mikey. She learned to love crafts during her many hours spent in the hospital. She painted and colored and glued, especially with glitter. She molded clay and played with shaving cream. She made bead people and bracelets. You name it, she made it or colored it while making all of the world around her a more colorful place. She was like a lot of cancer kids, more special because her life would be so short. She was fearless, liked roller coasters, softball and new things. She was never scared to be true to herself. Her favorite animal was a penguin, she had them everywhere! She even “adopted” a penguin named Theodore at the Roger Williams Zoo. Her favorite movies were Titanic and Mrs. Doubtfire, she watched them endlessly while in the Tomorrow Fund clinic for treatments and checkups. She loved everyone and made friends all over. She loved school, her teachers loved her and she even had an internet connection to her classroom before it was the norm. She even liked the hospital, loved the nurses and they all loved her. She mostly had the same room at Hasbro Children’s hospital which looked out over Route 95 and Narragansett Bay in RI. During one long winter’s stay, there was a blizzard. She sent emails to the local TV station giving weather and traffic reports. She was a featured weather watcher. She loved church, the singing and the fellowship. She was even an altar server when she felt good enough. Another of her favorite things was to have her nails painted to coordinates with the holidays. They were painted with St. Patrick’s Day colors when she took her final breath, peacefully sleeping her last sleep on a Saturday night, March 12, 2005... we will always love an miss her <3

Savannah-Hope-Swandal

Savannah-Nicole-Ramirez

Sawyer-Welsh-Sharp

Scot-Anthony-Sieczko

Sean-Martin-Kardorff

Sean was a young boy full of energy, who ran around playing with his brothers. He loved to clean. If given the choice between cleaning and playing, he chose cleaning.

Sean loved to take out the broom, mop, bucket, and loved to wash dishes. He loved orange popsicles and butternut squash. If given the choice between butternut squash and ice cream, he would pick butternut squash. Sean was careful and cautious. He was so careful and cautious that when he would get to the end of the curb or bed, hewould turn around and slide himself down.

Sean was such a people person, very friendly and outgoing. It was so amazing, people who didn't even know Sean, that would just meet him in passingwere attracted to him. Sean made such an impact and impression on people in his short time on this earth. Sean loved to raise his eyebrows and had the most beautiful smile. Sean was always smiling. Even fighting his battle against cancer, he was still smiling. He could just walk into a room and smile and everything seemed to get better. Sean had the most beautiful blue eyes you ever saw, they were the color of the ocean. Hegave someone a precious gift; the gift of sight. Someone will be able to see the world like Sean saw it; what a wonderful world.

Sean-McCoy

Shalya-Garrett

Shane-Haltmeier

Heaven has a new little angel with some serious dance moves. Our beloved 3-year old Shane lost his battle with cancer on January 19, 2011. He is the bravest, most inspiring little boy that touched so many lives and all of us are better for having known him.

After almost a year-long fight against Neuroblastoma, including spinal surgery, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, things progressed to a point where Shaneís little body could not keep going. There was no more anyone could do except to be with him and comfort him as he left us peacefully.

Following his first surgery to remove the tumor from his spine, the doctors were amazed that Shane had been able to walk. “Walk?” we said, "You haven’t even seen what this kid can do." Shane LOVED to dance with his sisters (Paige and Brooke), and the whole family. Not even spinal surgery or chemo could stop him. It always brought a smile to his face and to ours.

Shane loved the Yo Gabba Gabba show. It gave him so much joy and happiness. In fact, during long hospital visits, he knew how to access a wireless network from his iPod in order to search YouTube for his favorite episodes, and when it wouldn’t work, he would sit there and say, “Mommy, no Wi-Fi?” The nurses were all amazed.

Shane was never afraid. He was always the one that helped carry the rest of us through the fight. We love him endlessly and always and we pray he will never stop dancing or smiling down on us.

Sicily-Evelyn-Zeka

On April 15, 2005 we were blessed with our earthly angel, Sicily Evelyn Zeka, our "Pocketful of Sunshine." In August of 2008, the bomb known as cancer dropped on our lives with blinding devastation. At three years, four months old, Sicily was diagnosed with bilateral diffused anaplastic Wilm's Tumor, a pediatric cancer affecting the kidneys. She had masses on both kidneys. After ten rounds of chemo, surgery was performed in an attempt to remove the tumors, followed by eleven rounds of radiation and twenty-six more weeks of chemo. Sicily was declared with "no evidence of disease" during the summer of 2009. She lived life to the max that beautiful memorable summer! Scans the following October revealed the cancer had returned. Once again, she demonstrated incredible strength and bravery as she headed back to the front lines of battle. On February of 2010, the addition of the word "terminal" was added to the description of Sicily's cancer. Tumors were found in multiple organs of her tiny young body and modern medicine did not have the means to save her life anymore. Sunday evening, March 21, 2010, as Sicily was cradled in her mommy's arms with her daddy by their side, she exhaled her last breath on earth. The cancer that ravaged her body was replaced by a pair of white feathery angel wings, three weeks before her fifth birthday. Sicily showed us the true meaning of life and strengthened our relationship with God. She is our hero! Our love for her and the lessons she taught us will sustain us through life.

"We love you, Sicily...all the way to heaven!" Mommy and Daddy

Sierra-Chamblee

Sierra Rayn was born a fighter on April 25, 2008 at 3 pounds 13.8 ounces. She was seven weeks premature, and had a few complications after birth. However, within three weeks Sierra was home. Our little girl was a healthy child. She loved to be held and had the most adorable, cheesy smile anyone could imagine. Everyone that met her fell completely in love with her.

When she was 21 months old, she had what we thought was a stomach bug. We took her to the doctor, where an ultrasound was done. It revealed that she had a softball size tumor on her adrenal gland, and 4 other small masses. The biopsy confirmed it was stage IV Neuroblastoma. Sierra went through 11 months of treatment consisting of vent for 3½ months, 6 chest tubes, 1 stomach tube, addicted to 4 narcotics, a 9½ hour surgery, 7 rounds of chemo, multiple blood transfusions, endless scans, 2 blood infections, pneumonia and much more.

In October of 2010, a scan was done - and there were two new spots the size of thumbnails. More chemo was given, but in 1 months’ time, these two spots took over her entire abdomen. Nothing more could be done. She gained her angel wings on November 23, 2010 at the age of 2½ years old.

Our baby girl, we miss you every second of every day. We will keep fighting the fight until a cure is found.
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

www.sierrarayn.org

Sierra-Liana-Kesler

Sierra was born on February 11, 1999 and was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I was told then by the genetic doctor that children with Downs have a higher rate of getting leukemia than a typical child. As time went on...I thought about that less. I just never thought like any parent that my child would get cancer.
Sierra was the youngest of 3. She enjoyed music, dancing, Mr. Clean (yes she had a big crush on Mr. Clean), Shrek, Lilo & Stitch, Monsters Inc., and the Comfy Couch. We got to visit the Comfy Couch and when she sat on the couch, Sierra couldn't help but dig inside the couch to find what treasures Lunette the Clown was hiding in there. She enjoyed laughing, singing, reenacting her favorite cartoons and gave the best hugs ever. She was so filled with joy despite her illness and others would enjoy being around her.

Because Sierra had a huge crush on Mr. Clean, I dressed her as Mrs. Clean for a fall festival that the Children's Cancer Center was having. She wore a veil, had a bouquet of feather dusters, white jeans, and a white shirt that said "Mrs. Clean." She even held her Mr. Clean action figure. She was so happy and of course won 1st place!!

Cancer took her away and our lives have been hard without her...she gave us a special joy that can never be felt again.

Siri-Alexandra-Mayo

Skye-Alexandria-Getter

Skyler-James-Michael

Slade-Winter

Sophia-Teddi-Lynn-Henshen

Star-Reilly-Nuckolls

Steven-Crowe

Steven-Eric-Eberling

Steven-Goyack

Steven-Rodriguez

BLESS YOUR FACE! – That was Steven’s signature saying. Steven was and still is an amazing young man of 19, who had a zest for life, love and laughter. From the time he was born he was “that” kid whom everyone loved. The kid who always smiled at you, made you laugh; the one who was everyone’s friend. He enjoyed just new experiences and living life to the fullest.

His passion was DRAMA! From a very young age, Steven always had a camera in his hand. Taking pictures, taking videos of everyone and everything. This passion developed into creating his own you tube channels as early as 5th grade. Recording any silly act he could think of to make someone laugh. During middle school, he signed up to be a part of a crew for his first play in 8th grade and he was hooked. So beginning in high school, he immersed himself into the Drama and C.T.E. program for the next 4 years. Taking every class he could, to work his craft. After graduation, he attended Santa Monica College, CA, majoring in theater. He participated in many plays, and short films with his friends, & hosted a channel on you tube under the name of srodvision. Steven & a Starbucks mocha frappuccino’s were synonymous. He thought of them as a food group. He loved the trampoline, boogie boarding, water skiing, down hill skiing and driving anything with wheels or a motor, from cars, motorcycles, ATV’s, boats, and roller skates. He wanted to feel the wind in his hair and that exhilaration.

He loved being with family and hanging with his friends & his dogs. Breaking Bad was his all time favorite TV series , that and watching the SF Giants Baseball games, and following other You Tube Channels. He loved deeply everyone in his life. He was that thoughtful kid, that would take that extra time to make you feel special and always had a smile and a laugh that warmed your heart.

During his 2nd semester of college , Steven developed a headache. Out of nowhere. And over a couple of weeks this headache got worse. He found out he had 4 wisdom teeth that were impacted so he had them removed with the hopes that the headaches would go away. It didn’t. After several visits to the doctor, a CT scan finally showed a 7cm tumor. He had AT/RT. (Atypical Teratoid Rabdoid Tumor); a type of brain cancer that was rare, but usually discovered in young babies. He was one of ONLY 30+ “adults” (due to age) to EVER be diagnosed with this rare, very aggressive, pediatric brain cancer. After an emergency craniotomy, on May 15, 2013 & 121 days inpatient @ UCSF. He earned his angel wings. During his time at UCSF, he did a documentary film advocated for a cure, advocated for the importance of alternative medicine and treatments like acupressure and acupuncture & for the importance of healing hands of massage therapy for children suffering from chronic pain. He wanted to be that voice to speak for those who couldn’t. He tried during what short time he had.

Since that time, he has made it really known that he has not left us. He sends signs. Big Booming Signs to let us know that there is life after death and he is HERE with us. To the point that non believers now believe. He is missed EVERY minute of every day by his mother and father, Alex and Rafael; his brothers Michael and Matthew, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His message to everyone: LIVE LIFE and SOAK UP ALL THOSE MOMENTS, BECAUSE LIFE GOES BY TOO FAST! (Send more signs baby!! Miss and love you!!)

Ta'Shaun-J-Hightower

Talia-Joy-Castellano

On February 14, 2007, at the age of seven, Talia Joy Castellano was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. After three relapses and a diagnosis of the secondary cancer, MDS/preleukemia, Talia continued to fight two forms of cancer. She continued treatments knowing there was no cure, but hoped to slow down the progression to prolong her life. After six and a half years, on July 16, 2013 at 11:22am, Talia Joy Castellano lost her battle to childhood cancer.

Throughout her battle, Talia never stopped dreaming. She loved people, shopping, music, the beach, watching YouTube, fashion, social media and most of all makeup! Talia started using makeup when she was seven years old, after she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She came up with the motto, “Makeup is My Wig.” Combining all of her loves into one, Talia started her own YouTube channel, called Taliajoy18. Talia gave her subscribers makeup tutorials and uploaded vlogs that shed light on her cancer. She now has over 1,000,000 subscribers and continues to attract followers who view her YouTube videos. She continues to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest and to love themselves as they are.

Talia has been featured on numerous national television shows. In September 2012, Talia had the privilege of being on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Here she was bestowed the honor of becoming an honorary Cover Girl. She had the opportunity to report from the IHeart Radio concert for Ellen.

Talia saw this as her chance to shine, a way to leave behind a legacy for her fans, friends and family. Talia wanted “to leave her footprints and hand prints” on this world so she will never be forgotten.

Taylor-Steele

Teddy-Gerber

Teddy was smart, funny, stubborn, bossy and lovable beyond words. Just a few weeks before he was diagnosed -- without any warning -- with the cancer that took his life, he wrote an essay about how when he grew up he wanted to be a scientist, so that he could “cure cancer and cure mosquito bites.” He was eight years old.

Teddy seemed “off” for a month or so, but doctors couldn’t find anything specific to treat. A trip to the ER showed fluid in his chest and around his heart. A CT revealed a tumor, the size of a man’s fist, growing out of Teddy’s heart. The diagnosis -- undifferentiated sarcoma, a cancer so rare, there isn’t a specific protocol to treat it. Standard chemo did nothing. Surgery removed visible tumor, but more chemo and proton radiation couldn’t keep cancer cells from growing back. Seven months after diagnosis a recurrence of multiple tumors was discovered. Two months later Teddy fell asleep and didn’t wake up. That was three years ago, and the pain of losing him still takes our breath away. His smile, his goofy laugh, his kindness, his obstinacy, his impishness, his intelligence…they are all still so crystal clear to us. We wonder who he would be now, what he would be doing, and we wish we had the chance to see him, hold him and tell him we love him.
Teddy died because there was no medicine to cure him, because so little funding goes to pediatric cancer. We will work every day, for as long as we live, to keep Teddy’s memory alive and to fight to find a cure.

Timmy-Pauxtis

Timothy John Pauxtis was born on February 29, 1996, a special Leap Year baby. Timmy was our third son, joining big brothers Andrew (12) and Jason (8). There were many years between the boys, so I considered having Timmy an incredible gift.

Timmy was a happy, sweet and loving little boy. He had a wonderful smile and he would smile so easily. By far the most captivating thing about Timmy were his big blue eyes. People would always say to him; “Do you know that you have the most beautiful blue eyes?” Timmy didn’t really care, but I knew someday, when he was older, he would be using those baby blues to get the girls!

As Timmy grew older he became fascinated with policemen and army men. He dreamed of becoming a policeman someday. He believed in doing the right thing and being kind. One of the most important things in Timmy’s life were his friends. Timmy truly cared for all of his friends and in return had many close friendships.

Timmy loved his life. He was a carefree, silly little boy. He loved going to school, playing video games, riding his bicycle and listening to rock and roll music. He would always bop his head to music and loved to sing and dance silly. Timmy was also a cub scout and a brown belt in Taekwondo. He was determined to become a black belt.

On November 27, 2004, Timmy woke up in the morning having a focal seizure. The whole right side of his body was trembling. We took him to our local hospital where a CAT scan revealed a brain tumor. I will never forget being brought into a private room and being told that Timmy had a brain tumor. It was a terrifying, heart wrenching moment that would change our lives forever.

Timmy and I were airlifted from Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Extensive testing and a biopsy revealed that Timmy had an inoperable grade 2 thalamic astrocytoma. It was considered inoperable because it was located deeply inside the brain. The plan was to treat the tumor aggressively with chemotherapy and radiation.

The life Timmy once knew changed so quickly. When all this happened to Timmy, he never asked why this was happening to him. He never thought about dying. He once told me that he would be fine, because children do not die. I am in awe of the trust and love that Timmy had for us. Timmy knew how very much he was loved. He did everything we asked him to, without any complaints. He endured three different chemotherapies, six weeks of radiation, many unsedated 1 ½ hour MRI’s, hospital stays, blood transfusions and more.

The life he had once known slowly disappeared, but Timmy remained positive. During this time, Timmy missed so much school. He worked very hard with his tutors to catch up. He wanted so much to go back to school to be with his friends. In September, 2005 Timmy was able to return school to start 4th grade. Timmy thrived in school. His teachers and his friends were his best medicine. The teachers and children of this small school called Middletown Village took care of Timmy and made him feel so special.

Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, all the doctors efforts, and all the love in the world, the cancer continued to progress. In late January of 2006, we brought Timmy home under the care of hospice. Timmy passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2006.

Timmy was truly a special child. Through his Caringbridge website, his journey, his bravery, his love of his family and our love for him touched many people all over the world. I believe Timmy will be remembered. I believe Timmy’s life and death have made a difference in the way others live their lives now. Even though he was here for a very short time, Timmy left his mark on our lives and will live on in our hearts forever.

Trey-Tucker

Trey was born a healthy baby boy on June 12, 1999 and was just like any other normal toddler until one day around age 2 1/2, what I and the pediatrician thought was a viral cough had continued to persist after a month of antibiotics. Well that happens to be a sign of cancer.... Trey had AML-Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a Chromosome Disorder - Monosomy 7, and would go on to endure many rounds of nasty Chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, radiation and two Bone Marrow Transplants(from his brother). Trey never complained about anything really and never minded being in the hospital for 10 weeks at a time because he loved his nurses and doctors and was never scared. He knew that his blood was sick but you just don't tell a 4 year old they are going to die, that would be a little scary. He loved his baby dolls Katie and Trey and took great care of them. He loved dinosaurs, singing and playing in the bathtub with his older brother. He loved swinging with his sister on the playground. Trey wanted to be a Daddy, Fireman and a Red Power Ranger. He loved preparing meals with fake food and taking care of everyone. Trey lost his fight with cancer and died in his sleep behind me on December 6, 2003. I miss his little hands, I miss the way he smelled and I miss his contagious laugh. But most of all, I miss being his Mommy.....

Tristen Nano Oliphant