Courage & Hope

Courage & Hope

Abstracts by Tom Swartz

Cancer Survivor Drozin Ready For Third State Meet

It's always gratifying for a swimmer to reach the wall first and defeat her opponents. For Caitlin Drozin, though, winning a swimming event means little compared to her victory over cancer. "People have told me that I'm their hero. I don't really think of myself as one," said Drozin, a Stow, Ohio high school senior who overcame osteosarcoma and will compete in her third state swimming meet February 24-25. "But, I think it would be cool to inspire people, like, Hey, I went through cancer. I was down, but look what I did. I'm back. I'm better than I was. You can overcome things. Don't let it get you down." Drozin began feeling pain in her left leg during her freshman season. Still, she excelled and swam two events at the 2003 state meet. Days later, she was diagnosed. Drozin went through nine months of chemotherapy, costing her nearly a year of swimming and requiring schooling at home with a tutor. Early that summer, she had a cancerous bone removed from the leg, leaving a scar that begins a few inches above her ankle and extends to just above her knee. Doctors also removed a nerve during the surgery, leaving Drozin with "floppy foot," an inability to flex her foot. "In the first couple of days [after the diagnosis], there were some fears, some tears," said Mike Drozin, Caitlin's father. "But her courage - 'I'm going to be cured' - really brought everybody together." Drozin now wears a brace on her foot when wearing shoes, but not while swimming. Her resolve and the exemplary support she got from family and friends have helped Drozin achieve a 4.3 grade-point average and compile an impressive swimming resume. Drozin, who is being recruited by several Division I college programs and would like to study business or marketing, will compete in her seventh and eighth state events. She will swim the Division I girl’s 200-yard freestyle and the 500 freestyle. She had resumed swimming midway through the 2003-04 high school season, days after her final chemotherapy treatment. Remarkably, despite a lack of conditioning, she advanced to the district meet in four events that February. “Caitlin is a big inspiration, not only to me, but to other people, too," said Drozin's close friend, Cuyahoga Falls swimming standout Kelsey Atchison. "She set goals for what she would accomplish the last two years, and I don't think she even realizes how much she's been able to accomplish. She's the hardest worker I know." Drozin's eyes sparkle when she recalls how much encouragement her friends provided. Teammates from Stow and the Cuyahoga Falls U.S.A. club team Drozin swims on often visited in the hospital and at her home. "Her swim teams brought dinner to us three or four times a week, during the whole nine months," Drozin’s mother said. "I think that support has made us a lot more compassionate. We feel it's now our turn to give back. "Since then, we've sometimes brought people dinners and sat with people in the hospital. I don't know if I would have known to do that if not for how people helped us when Caitlin was sick." It shouldn't really matter if Drozin swims fast enough to stand on the victory podium after the meet. She already has a victory to share with family and friends. She said, "The whole way through, I was really determined to get back in the water and really prove to myself that I could overcome this."

7-Year-Old Kara Gaines Gets Wish Granted for Bedroom Retreat

If you were a 7-year-old girl diagnosed with a life threatening illness, what would your one wish be? For Kara Gaines, of White House, Tennessee her only wish was a dream bedroom that reminded her of her favorite things - Strawberry Shortcake, Dora the Explorer, Nemo, flowers and butterflies. All the things that made her happy while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Kara was diagnosed in 2004 with rhabdomyosarcoma. On Oct. 22, 2005 after spending the day out with her family, Kara came home to find her wish had come true. Kara was one of 14 children chosen last year by the Stories of Light Campaign, which was launched by The Make-A-Wish Foundation, to have her wish granted. In late July of 2004, Kara’s parents noticed a bump on her left eye. Thinking she had been bitten by a mosquito, they watched it grow larger over the next several days. After taking her to the doctor, it was initially thought to be a tear duct which needed to be lanced. Kara was sent to another doctor who told her parents that it was a cyst. After being referred to a specialist, it was decided that Kara did not have a cyst. Instead it was a tumor on her left eye socket which was causing her eyelid to protrude. Kara would need surgery, and it was performed in September of 2004. The doctors were able to remove all the cancer. However, as a precautionary measure, Kara would have to undergo chemotherapy treatments for the next 11 months, which were completed in July of 2005. Kara’s mother Darla says that Kara is feeling great now and miraculously, she has 20/20 vision. She added that Kara didn’t complain much at all during her treatments. “While the chemo made her very sick, she was more upset and said that it was unfair that she had to miss school,” said Darla. Today, Kara is back at school at and playing again with brother Jordan.

Andrew Mizzoni Inspires Golf Tournament for Hospital

Another successful round of golf for the Andrew Mizzoini Cancer Research fund has just raised $24,000, bringing the grand total raised to $185,000 in only four years. Every year the proceeds of the tournament go to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. This year over 200 golf players and young cancer patients of the hospital participated. Andrew’s parents established the event to thank the hospital and its staff who treated their son Andrew who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in his left orbit in March 2001. Andrew underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for 10 months. Andrew’s unbelievable courage amazed his parents. “He never complained, never cried,” says father Len. “We’ve always been at his side, but he was the one who gave us a lesson of life and courage.” That courage was put to the test. “In May 2002 the cancer reappeared, and this time it required radical surgery, which removed his eye with the eyelid and a part of the socket tissue,” adds Len. The latest results in late June seem to indicate that Andrew has won his battle. Andrew is a tall, fair-haired kid with a passion for sports that he pursued even during these years. “This year Andrew was named Athlete of the Year,” says proud dad Len. “He never stopped playing, he loves every sport, and in 2004 the hockey team where he plays goalie won the City of championship. At present, Andrew plays baseball with a Vaughan team. In short he never sits down.” His father can never stop talking about his son, a kid he calls special for his qualities, his character, and his courage.

Reginald Gets Help Finding Rainbows.

Reginald Riggins is like most 6-year-olds in that he loves Mickey Mouse, Spiderman and amusement park rides. But Reginald is different in that he's battling rhabdomyosarcoma. When a nonprofit group called Rainbow Connection heard about Reginald's illness, it did for the Detroit boy what it does annually for 100 children battling terminal or life-threatening illnesses -- it granted him a wish. Reginald and his family got an all-expenses-paid weeklong trip in October to Orlando, Fla., where they visited Walt Disney World parks, Universal Studios and Sea World. "I actually cried coming and cried going," said Carleen Riggins, Reginald's mother, of the trip to Florida. "I cannot tell you how much my family needed this trip to get away. He was just able to be a kid for a week." Carleen Riggins took a friend on the trip, as well as her other three children. The Rainbow Connection paid for a limousine to transport the family to and from the airport. The group also arranged for toys on the plane ride to keep the children entertained. Reginald was diagnosed with cancer in December 2004, after he developed a lump of hard tissue under the skin of his ankle. His mom said he has spent 75% of his time since then in hospitals for surgery, radiation treatments and chemotherapy. But Reginald sports a bright smile and lights up when asked about his favorite moments of his visit to Florida. Highlights were the Spiderman ride at Universal Studios and getting to meet Disney characters. He loves playing with the toys he brought back, especially a large, stuffed Spiderman. Rainbow Connection was started by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in 1985 as a tribute to his best friend, Ron Dobson, and Dobson's two children, who died in a plane crash in 1980. The group receives referrals from hospital social workers, pediatricians and other physicians. It costs about $3,500 to grant each wish. Carleen Riggins said donations to Rainbow Connection would help make more wishes possible. "It helps little kids like him to have a good time," she said. Clci khere to learn more about the Rainbow Connection.

Tourney to Benefit Cancer Patients

It's a chance to hook the big one, win cash and help a fellow angler who is in the fight of his life. The Ryan McCleskey Redfish Challenge II was organized to help Cape Coral resident Ryan McCleskey fight Ewing's sarcoma. McCleskey, 26, was diagnosed with the disease in 2003 when he was stationed in Hawaii with the Navy. When McCleskey returned to Cape Coral to seek treatment, his friends put together a fishing tournament in 2005 to help offset expenses. The military has picked up the tab for medical expenses, but McCleskey needed help with living expenses. "It was a good time," McCleskey said. "All of my friends stuck together for one person. It meant so much I couldn't explain it." The tournament last year raised about $9,000. The proceeds from the 2006 tournament will benefit Barbara's Friends and The Children's Hospital Cancer Fund. McCleskey requested the donation to the fund because of the care he has received through the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. McCleskey is under the care of Hope Hospice. He participated in the tournament last year, and this year will be on hand to welcome the competitors when they return to the Marina at Cape Harbour with their catch at the end of the day. "It's like a big family," McCleskey said. "I want it to be beautiful. I want everyone to have a good time."

Cancer Won't Keep This Teen Down

Growing up, Brittany Murray of Minesing, Canada loved to snowboard and played on a number of teams. Now she can only enjoy them from the sidelines, as cancer robbed her of her ability to play. "I was really active before then," she said. "I can't play sports and I can't walk too long." But she's not bitter. In fact, she counts her blessings. Not only is she still alive, her difficult journey brought her much closer to her family. Brittany's life changed in September 2001. Two years earlier, she was involved in snowboarding mishap which resulted in an injury to her leg. Over the coming months, the leg would become swollen if she did anything too strenuous. On the Labor Day weekend 2001, while on a family outing the pain in Brittany's leg wouldn't let up. The next day, they went to an urgent care clinic where an x-ray showed her femur was full of holes. "It looked moth-eaten," said Brittany. Tests at Royal Victoria Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children confirmed she had Ewing's Sarcoma. Most patients are diagnosed when the fragile bone breaks, which spreads the disease throughout the body. Brittany was lucky that didn't happen and after a year of chemotherapy and surgery to replace the bone with a donor bone, she has been cancer-free. The experience has made the 12^th grade high school student grateful for what she has and she wanted to help others undergoing cancer treatment. When a close friend confided her two-year-old sister was just diagnosed with leukemia, she wanted to help somehow, which led her to Candle Lighters Simcoe, an organization that supports the families of children with terminal illnesses. Last summer, she signed up for the Candle Lighters' Courageous Cancer Kids Fight back dragon boat team made up of cancer survivors and their families. The experience was such a great one that she's already looking forward to this year's event. "It was awesome." One of the special moments for her was meeting a man whose child was just diagnosed with the same cancer. She was happy to share her experience with him. The teen is also a peer tutor at school and used to volunteer her time at a summer camp. She is also a member of Terry's Team, cancer survivors who start the annual Terry Fox Run. She cannot participate in the run itself, but she helps the cause in other ways, such as children's face painting and helps with the organizing and fundraising. "You have to have a positive attitude through this," explained the 17-year-old. While Brittany's attitude is a positive one, she continues to hope for a treatment that will get her back in the game. "They're coming up with new things every day," she said.

Rare Rock Autograph Auction for Children’s Cancer Hospital

On April 1, Rock Star Gallery, an Arizona-based music memorabilia museum, will conduct an auction of more than 200 lots of rare rock and pop music memorabilia to benefit the Children’s Cancer Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Titled "From Beatles to Zeppelin," the auction will be held at the gallery, with auctioneer Mike Brandly officiating and live Internet bidding available through CBTechLive.com. Highlights in the sale include seven LPs autographed by the Beatles. Other autographed albums of interest include the rare Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors “flame cover” album, signed by the band members before their 1977 plane crash; three framed autographed albums from Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson; and an autographed collage of album covers from the Led Zeppelin release In Through the Out Door, signed by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. All albums in the auction are matted and custom-framed. All autographed items in the auction come with a certificate of authenticity from the ROCK STAR gallery. Much of the collection was amassed by Rock Star Gallery's owner, Michael Dunn, who is selling three decades of acquisitions to raise funds for the hospital that helped save his young son from rhabdomyosarcoma. “He was only five years old. It came on so suddenly and before I knew it, we were in the hospital, with chemotherapy and radiation treatment for over a year. The oncology team at Phoenix Children’s Hospital was remarkable. Due to their hard work, knowledge, care and prayer, our son’s cancer went into remission,” Dunn said. The auction also features several artist-used guitars, several artworks, and photographic prints. The auction will be conducted live Saturday, April 1, commencing at 11 a.m. Mountain Time (10 a.m. Pacific Time, 1 p.m. Eastern Time), with live online bidding through CBTechLive.com and eBayLive Auctions. For more information on the “From Beatles to Zeppelin” auction, visit Rock Star Gallery Tel. (480) 275-4501.

Two Time Cancer Survivor Sets Her Sights On The Gold

Christina Alejandro has the amazing ability to never see barriers. Alejandro is blind. Yet she charges ahead anyway - smart, upbeat, stubborn. She walks without a cane, instead sensing the path ahead of her. She dances without restraint, feeling the pulsating rhythm of Tex-Mex music through her feet. And she runs fast and straight, like a knife cutting through wind. The latter is what might help the 19-year-old win the gold the weekend of March 18^th -19^th at the second annual Junior Blind Olympics in Los Angeles. Alejandro, a Palm Springs resident, will be competing in the 50- and 100-yard dash, shot put and bowling. "I'm doing this for the challenge. If I don't win, that's OK," Alejandro giggled. "Though I usually do win." Alejandro has placed in several other similar events, including the Braille Institute-Optimist Clubs Track and Field Olympics. "I'm so full of energy, that I have to run to relax," she laughed. "It's like I need to do something to get all this energy out of me." Alejandro's eyes were claimed at age 2 by retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer that occurs in the retina. At age 12, Alejandro was also diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the sixth most common type of cancer in children. She is now in remission. "When I was told I had cancer for the second time, I didn't shed a tear. Not even once," said Alejandro. "It was like OK, let's just get on with the treatments. “Cancer happens." The Olympic games are hosted by Junior Blind of America and the Optimist Blind Youth Association, both nonprofit organizations. "The Junior Blind Olympics provides an inspirational opportunity for blind and visually impaired children to challenge their abilities, surmount sight barriers and achieve their dreams," Jay Allen, executive vice president of Junior Blind of America said. For the games, Alejandro will be strapping on brand-new Adidas in pink - her favorite color, which she says she senses even without seeing it. "Maybe some people think it's hard to do things like this, but I'm used to it," she said. "Everybody always asks me if I feel like I'm missing out on something. But I can't think of anything I'm missing," she said. "I love to dance and sing. I work out. I have a lot of friends. What's missing?"

A Marathon for Lu Yao

Six-year old Lu Yao's life has been an incredible journey, and now her "papa," Andy Friedmann and his friend John Bottiglio hope to journey the 26 miles of the Boston Marathon this April to help Lu Yao and children like her. Friedmann and Bottiglio will run to raise money for Massachusetts General Hospital's (MGH) Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. Lu Yao was born in China where she lived in an orphanage. Initially, a woman she called grandmother had cared for her and even paid for her first eye surgery when she developed rhabdomyosarcoma. However, when the cancer returned the woman left Lu Yao at the orphanage and never returned. There was little hope for Lu Yao until an American who ran another orphanage discovered her in early 2005. He arranged to have her transferred to his orphanage and contacted a woman in the United States who brings children to the U.S. for medical treatment. She contacted Friedmann's wife, Alison Friedmann, who is a pediatric oncologist at MGH. Lu Yao was flown to the U.S. in April where she went straight from the airport to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. There she had surgery to remove a five-pound tumor from her eye. After the surgery, Lu Yao started chemotherapy and that is when Alison Friedmann took over her care. "She treated her for three weeks and fell in love with her," Friedmann said of his wife. She asked her husband if she could take her home and in May legal guardianship was transferred to the Friedmanns. They are currently waiting for paperwork from China to adopt her. Lu Yao finished chemotherapy in early March. Friedmann said that currently there is no sign of cancer and her chances of surviving are very good. She will need extensive plastic surgery to repair her eyelid, and while the doctors were able to save her eye her eyesight is very poor in that eye. They are hoping to improve the eyesight by putting a patch over the good eye, forcing the weaker one to strengthen. Lu Yao now speaks fluent English. She is a kindergarten student where her older "sister" Meghan is a fifth grader and her older "brother" Ryan is in third grade. Friedmann said that people often applaud him for taking Lu Yao in but he said, "I feel really lucky to have her. She's really smart, does well in school, she has an easy personality and is eager to please. She came out amazingly unscathed. She's a very normal six-year-old."

Friedmann, who was a casual runner, running three to four miles a couple times a week, decided to run the Boston Marathon to raise money for MGH's Pediatric Research Fund. He recruited Bottiglio to help him train for the marathon. Friedmann knew Bottiglio from their daughters' soccer team, where they are both coaches. He also knew Bottiglio had marathon experience. Due to busy schedules, Bottiglio and Friedmann train on their own during the week but get together to train during the weekends. Last weekend, they did an 18-mile run covering some of the tougher portions of the Boston Marathon, said Bottiglio. "That was tough," Friedmann said. "That was the first time I had self doubt, but it's for a good cause and I just remember I'm doing this for [Lu Yao]." Bottiglio said he plans to stick with Friedmann for the entire race. "My goal is to survive. Anything under five [hours] I'd be happy with. It's [Friedmann's] first marathon. I think he'll have a tougher time of it. Boston is brutal with hills. You have to hope the weather is with us." But, he said, "You think how tough it is, then you see these kids battling cancer, it puts it all in perspective." And what will Friedmann do when he finishes the marathon? "The day after the marathon, we're going to Disney World," he said. The family trip is a gift from the Make a Wish Foundation.