(February 2nd)
When the oncologists were testing Dexter,
before his diagnosis, we were told
he would have either neuroblastoma or hepatoblastoma.
They both sounded equally awful, but one is much less responsive to treatment.
Luckily, he got hepatoblastoma... the more responsive form of cancer.
Today is Neuroblastoma Awareness Day.
One of our goals, is to raise awareness and understanding of childhood cancers.
Many children experience long term effects, including organ toxicity, growth and hormonal deficiencies, infertility and secondary cancers.
(That one scares us the most! Dexter now has a 20 times greater risk of developing a second cancer than any of his friends!)
And, 66% of childhood cancer survivors suffer from at least one chronic medical condition and 33% suffer from at least one life threatening medical condition.
- One in 500 Australian children will develop a cancer before the age of 15. That's 600 Australian children diagnosed with childhood cancer every year.
- Australia has one of the highest incidences of childhood cancer worldwide - second only to breast cancer in terms of the number of years of life lost
This informative site has a lot of information about Neuroblastoma.
Here's a small section from the webpage:
- Neuroblastoma almost exclusively strikes infants and children, and is the third most common type of Childhood Cancer after Leukaemia and brain tumors. It is the leading single cause of cancer deaths of children under 5.
- It is a complex cancer and can present in various ways and in different forms and as a result, survival rates differ significantly. The outcome depends on the type and aggression, and the aggressive neuroblastoma is of course the most challenging to treat and has the lowest survival rates, around 40%.
- Aggressive Neuroblastoma has sadly not seen a major change in the survival rate in the last ten years but there are some significant new treatments in the pipeline which are showing promise. In contrast the less aggressive forms have seen improvement to a level where research is now focusing on not only cure, but ways to lessen the impact treatment has on patients lives.
who lost her battle against neuroblastoma in 2010.
Sadly, we know of some young children who have lost their battle with cancer. Today, Neuroblastoma Awareness Day, we think of them and their families, and all the children currently undergoing treatment for childhood cancers. We think of the people like Dexter, who have fought, and won, their battle against cancer.
And, we think of the families who have to constantly worry and wonder whether the cancer has returned in the body of their young children.
To show cancer that we are ready to fight... That we will stand up and resist, we are entering a team for Dexter in our local Relay for Life event. Will you help us fight the fight against cancer? Will you sponsor Dexter in The Relay for Life event? His parents are Lenice and Andrew, and they would greatly accept your sponsorship in this battle against cancer. Thanks so much. | |
He's 19 years old, and he's walking around Australia,
raising money and awareness of childhood brain cancers! He started in South Australia and is now heading towards Brisbane, having walked across to Western Australia, and through the Top End. Read more about him here.
Read more about Dexter's cancer journey
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