October | 2014 | Melinda Marchiano

A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Archive for October, 2014

Why I’m Rooting for the Kansas City Royals in World Series Game 7

Game 7 of the World Series is tonight!

I live on the Central Coast of California, three hours north of Los Angeles, and four hours south of San Francisco. You might guess that I would be routing for the Giants to win this evening, but this is not so. I admit I am a big Hunter Pence fan, but my heart and my cheers will be with the Royals tonight.

Why would a California girl not be cheering for her California team?

Besides being a big baseball fan my entire life, I am also a fan of “teams” founded to fight childhood cancer. One of my very favorite childhood cancer fighting “teams” is Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Melinda and I met Deliece Hofen, the founder of Braden’s Hope, four years ago. At the time, Deliece was in treatment for breast cancer while her son, Braden, was in treatment for Neuroblastoma.

Deliece is one of the brightest shining stars I have ever met on this Earth. Although she has had a mountain of challenges heaped upon her life, she has climbed to tremendous heights through her positive attitude, her beautiful faith, and her undying determination to help others. I love this woman.

Because of her tenacity, her persistence, and her utter brilliance, she has been able to help save her son’s life. Braden is a walking miracle. Deliece is a walking miracle herself!

Whatever could all of this have to do with the World Series tonight?

Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer is located in Kansas City. The Royals have always been huge supporters of this foundation. Before baseball games begin in Kansas City, the enormous screen with a crown sports a photo of Braden and George Brett laughing together while offering a Braden’s Hope Calendar for sale. The calendar has photos of “Hope Heroes” with Royals players. All proceeds go to helping Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer fund vital research for cures for our kids.

I love the Royals for their dedication to helping their local childhood cancer foundation, Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Being a major league baseball player comes with many perks. It is refreshing to see these players use their position of sports celebrity to spread human kindness into the world of suffering children. It’s the right thing to do.

What could make me change my mind? Hmmmm….

Maybe the Giants can begin supporting Unravel Pediatric Cancer, one of their local childhood cancer foundations started by another “mama” I love, Libby Kranz.

You see, I love watching baseball, but I love witnessing big hearts in action for kids with cancer even more.

Go Royals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Braden Hofen and George Brett

Shared from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152654749620970&set=pcb.10152654758315970&type=1&theater

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

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Support for Noah’s Light Foundation and the NOAH Protocol

Janet Demeter, Executive Director of Jack’s Angels Foundation, at Night of Golden Lights at the White House, CurefestDC

The Founder of Noah’s Light Foundation, Amber Larkin, received notification on October 23, 2014 that the Food and Drug Administration granted The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center approval for a new pediatric cancer treatment developed to treat pediatric brain cancer, called the NOAH Protocol. This is remarkable and thrilling, offering new hope for groundbreaking results that have eluded researchers for three decades. For some horridly aggressive types of childhood cancer diagnoses that have a 0% survival rate, this is the best Halloween “treat” that could ever be created!

“Noah was diagnosed just before Halloween trick-or-treating, and it’s only fitting that we’ve received FDA approval to begin testing this month. Long before I lost my son to cancer, I knew that there had to be better treatments through personalized cell therapy – using your own immune system to help fight the cancer. His illness has defined the rest of my life. There are so many more ‘Noahs’ out there, and I now do this for each and every one. My wish is that the NOAH Protocol becomes a catalyst for the cure for all cancers.” ~Amber Larkin

The NOAH Protocol was named after Amber Larkin’s son, Noah, who fought medulloblastoma and died in 2012 when he was just eight years old. Ever since, his lovingly determined mom, Amber, has been on a mission to create hope and change for all children diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer. NOAH stands for New Opportunity Advancing Hope. For children battling childhood cancer, there is no greater hope than a possible cure. For survivors of childhood cancer, there is no greater hope than less toxic treatments which will both heal and preserve their future health. The sound of “Immunotherapy” instead of “Chemotherapy” is like a hymn sent straight from heaven!

For more detailed information:

https://www.noahslightfoundation.org/the-noah-protocol/

“The NOAH Protocol (NewOpportunity AdvancingHope) is groundbreaking, advanced immunotherapy to treat children diagnosed with brain cancer. Until this treatment, chemotherapy had to be administered in extremely high doses to the entire system so that it could breach the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that surrounds the brain. Radiation is aimed at the entire brain, damaging healthy cells in the process and rendering younger patients who survive unable to read, tell time or tie their shoes.”

Knowing that this treatment will treat cancer at the tumor site, without toxic chemotherapy and radiation, makes me fill up with tremendous hope for the future of our children’s health. Imagine…

Oncologists will use patients’ own cells, cells called NK, or natural killer cells, to fight their tumors. A unique surgical technique implants these cells directly through a port at the cancer location. The Killer Cells then do the job they are trained for; they kill cancer.

Dr. Ronald DePinho, President, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Ronald DePinho, President of MD Anderson Cancer Center, speaking on pediatric cancer therapy development issues at the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus on September 19, 2014

It is not surprising to me to learn that this huge step forward is due in large part to the love of a mother for her son. Brains and research funding are vital components for moving forward for cures for all children with cancer, but love will always be the driving force that binds everything together for great advances. Without love, data is simply data.

Without love, this fantastic new hope for treating pediatric brain cancer would not even exist.

Don’t you just love the love of a mom?

You can support Amber Larkin’s mission by voting daily for her to receive the BJFH Award of $100,000 for Noah’s Light Foundation.

http://NASCAR.com/award

Sample Tweet to vote, copy, paste, and share, share, share!

I voted 4 #AmberLarkin @NoahsLight #BJFHAward finalist to win $100,000 4 @NoahsLight Cast your vote: http://NASCAR.com/award daily #ChildhoodCancer

Janet Demeter, Executive Director of Jack’s Angels Foundation at the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

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Curefest DC 2014 on the National Mall– Photo Memories

After two days filled with inspiration in Washington D.C., a third followed. CurefestDC 2014 began at 9 am on Sunday, September 21st on the National Mall. My decision not to brave the “waters” of the dreaded metro by myself on this morning proved to be a good one. I gobbled some breakfast in a taxi on the way and arrived with a full belly and a happy heart.

Festive is the word I would use to describe my first impression. My second impression was thankfulness for all the people who came, all the people who worked to create the event, and all the volunteers who donated their time to put this enormous event together.

The setting for CurefestDC on the National Mall made everything that was there and everything that happened a notch or two more epic. Backdrops of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument have a way of doing that. I understand there were more than 75 foundations present under the white pop-ups lining the mall.

This was a day for the kids. I loved seeing kids scurrying around collecting as many wristbands as they possibly could. They hugged each other, sat on each other’s laps, walked, danced, and some even spoke. Survivors and siblings were honored and received special gifts.

One of the most fun and heart-warming times of this day was a butterfly release. Families were given boxes to open and free the butterflies inside. The look of wonder, awe, and joy on the kids’ faces was alone worth the trip to D.C. Before opening the boxes, Ellyn Miller told the crowd, “These butterflies are for all of our kids.” With that, they gave their boxes a kiss, then opened them up to reveal the life within.

Abby Miller sang the National Anthem while Delaney Clements held our nation’s flag. The walk began…

The camaraderie present was something so strong that it seemed possible to physically touch it. The gorgeous somber and reflective tone of the night before at the White House transformed into a tone of courage, love and purpose– even joy.

Dancers danced in honor and in memory of children fighting cancer. Here, dancers hug Delaney Clements after their performance.

Joel Waldman, from Fox 5 NY, received an award of recognition and thanks for his outstanding work to bring awareness to childhood cancer.

Gabriella Miller’s mom, Ellyn and Erin Griffin’s mom, Amanda, had their heads shaved at the event to bring more awareness to childhood cancer.

Billy Sherwood, crazy-cute and courageous survivor, helping at his mom’s booth for Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation.

I remember– I will never forget– how much Melinda hurt inside when she was in the middle of her cancer battle and she was not able to dance. This moment at Curefest brought back memories of pain, and at the same time it crushed those memories with the victory I witnessed when Gabi Shull took the stage and danced. Oh my gosh! Beautiful Gabi!

Thank you to Alvin Jones, Master of Ceremonies with a huge heart for the kids.

The man who is turning the world gold #WorldGoGold, Tony Stoddard (Cole’s Dad) stands with Amanda Griffin (Erin’s Mom).

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there is something epic about the setting of CurefestDC. Do you notice what is directly between Tony and Amanda in the photo above? Hello, elected representatives, childhood cancer activists are more organized and more determined than ever before to have you listen to our One Voice to create change for childhood cancer. We need cures right now for all kids.

Like ten year-old Gabriella Miller so eloquently stated, “Talk is bullshit, we need action.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaoqnILa0l4

It’s not okay to sit back, flap our gums and do nothing. CurefestDC gave all of us an opportunity to do something. I think CurefestDC inspired everyone who was present. There is no greater cause than the health of our children. There is nothing like spending the weekend with people who know this is true.

CurefestDC was one huge blast of hope and inspiration.

Don’t worry, Gabriella, we’re going to do a LOT more than talk!

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

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A Night of Golden Lights at the White House- CurefestDC

After the Curefest DC Welcome Event at Nationals Stadium, the attendees all headed to President’s Park across the street from the front of the White House. I never would have arrived without the help of Karla, who introduced me to my very first ride on the Metro. Since I live in an area where there are rolling hills, oak trees, strawberry fields, and cows grazing, this was an eye-opening city experience for me. I know it’s normal for people who live in DC and other cities to travel on underground railways, but I admit that my usual Podunk surroundings make it so I am utterly amazed by the setting and all the people! Thanks Karla– I would still be standing in the station with my mouth open.

Is it any surprise that A Night of Golden Lights is the brainchild of none-other-than Tony Stoddard? (A Day of Yellow and Gold to Fight Childhood Cancer) Our time together at this event was exceptional. I wish I knew the name of the singing group who sang “If I die Young” — it was beautiful! I do have this photo of the singers with Ellyn Miller (Smashing Walnuts Foundation) and her son.

Mike Gillette, Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker from The Truth 365, helped organize the evening’s events with Tony Stoddard. Thank you, Mike and Tony, for your never-ending passion and energy for the kids.

One of the most meaningful moments for me of Curefest DC came next. Tony began by telling us about his son, Cole. Cole died from Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. I highly recommend reading this article Tony wrote for Cancer Knowledge Network, telling his story. https://cancerkn.com/promise-son/ Being present to hear Tony tell his story is something I will always carry inside me, and what followed next will stay with me forever. Parents and brothers and sisters took the stage to tell their stories. We need this. Giving these people a microphone and a caring, compassionate audience was beautiful. Each person who shared seemed comfortable that they were talking to a group who truly wanted to listen. We were all “family” on this night. We were all one. We were not separate. We were not alone.

This tender and precious time of sharing set the tone for what we would do next… walk to the front of the White House.

Slowly, almost somberly, the crowd began walking. I walked behind Tony, imagining what must be going through his mind and his heart. It was a time of reflection as our group neared our destination. If someone dropped a pin, we all would have heard it. It was a time of honor. It was a time of respect. It was a time of memory. It was a time of conviction that we need to do all we can to see that the pain and suffering present inside so many would not go without acknowledgement– would not wither without action or purpose.

As we lit and lifted our golden lights together, we lifted our voices to sing, “Amazing Grace.” We sang the first verse through three times in a row. (Everyone chuckled when they announced we would do this because it is the only verse everyone knows!) A Night of Golden Lights at the White House was an evening I will always remember. I was wishing our president was not vacationing, so he and his family could look out their window and see hope for children with cancer. My next thought was, “It doesn’t matter.” What matters is that all of these people gathered with One Voice for our kids.

To be among these people is life-changing. Each person I met left a piece of their heart in mine. I hope I was able to leave them a warm piece of my heart as well.

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

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Melinda Marchiano

A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Archive for October, 2014

Why I’m Rooting for the Kansas City Royals in World Series Game 7

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Support for Noah’s Light Foundation and the NOAH Protocol

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Curefest DC 2014 on the National Mall– Photo Memories

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A Night of Golden Lights at the White House- CurefestDC

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