A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Braden Hofen’

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

 

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Major League Baseball,

My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am sixteen years old. When I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma; I am thrilled to tell you I am now in remission.

The reason I am writing to you is to ask you to please consider assisting the cause of raising awareness and funding for research for childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in our country. 40,000 children are fighting cancer right now. Every school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer. Seven children in our country will die today—and every day—from cancer.

I love how you support types of adult cancers, like what you are doing for “bat girls” and breast cancer. I can’t help but notice the glaring absence of attention to childhood cancer. Please continue to give the support you are giving for adults, and please open your minds and hearts to consider doing the same for our tiniest cancer warriors.

The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society allocate a tiny portion of their budget to childhood cancer research. This leaves a huge open gap of need that small grassroots organizations are working passionately to fill. The vast majority of these organizations have been established by parents who have lost their child to cancer.

Baseball is as American as America. When I think of baseball, I think of summertime and kids at the ballpark with their gloves—ready to catch that foul ball. I can picture the joy on their faces to be in a real live major league ballpark watching their favorite players.

Baseball = Kids and fun

I would love to have Major League Baseball show its commitment to make a difference in the health of the children of our future by doing something big for children with cancer.

I see you On Deck… please step up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park.

Funding will find a cure.

I just know you can do it… “Take Me Out to The Ball Game…”

 

My buddy, Braden Hofen... Major League Bat Boy!

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Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Have you ever prayed for a miracle?

Have you ever prayed for a miracle and then, one day, saw that miracle come true?

For me, today is that day.

The miracle is Braden.

I have written before of one of my heroes, Braden Hofen. Braden is six. I just learned the results of his latest scans after treatment for recurring neuroblastoma.

NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

I am so thankful I had to type it three times, and I can only imagine what his family must be feeling!!!!!!!!!!  Besides giving thanks for the great news about Braden’s health, I am also giving thanks for the hundreds of people who have been praying for him. I am giving thanks for all of the people who have supported Braden and the Hofen family in every way—big and small.

I just hung up the phone from talking with Jonny Imerman of Imerman Angels. Guess who is their newest “Angel”? These “Angels” are “matched,” and they give support to patients going through similar cancer experiences. I absolutely love this! What a great idea, what a great organization, and what a blessing it was to speak with Jonny… no doubt he is a Real Angel. If you know someone going through cancer who could use support from someone who has already gone down the same path (is there a cancer patient who couldn’t use this?) this is the place to refer them!

While I am rejoicing in the miraculous news with everyone who loves and cares about Braden, my heart is, at the same time, heavy with the news today about a friend I have written of before, Breanna. She is fighting very, very hard, and at this time, is unresponsive. Her mom reports that her vital signs are strong. Please pray for Breanna. Please pray those same miracle prayers we have all prayed for Braden.

Let’s multiply miracles.

“Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible”

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Miracle Messenger, Braden Hofen, HOPE!

 

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Hero Braden

 
 

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

Today, in my daily letter, I want to tell you about one of my heroes. His name is Braden Hofen and he is six years old. Over three years ago, on Halloween night, Braden’s mom and dad took him to the hospital. Although he was ready for Trick-or-Treating, dressed as Woody along with his brother, Zach, as Buzz, he was crying and didn’t feel well. His parents thought the problem might be his asthma. After a chest X-ray revealed a small gray shadow, the medical staff sent Braden home the next day, with iron drops. They believed Braden’s problem was an enlarged liver due to a virus and lack of iron. His parents were vigilant in following up on his problems with doctors, yet they faced doubt with their calls and questions– until they returned to the ER in December. The new X-ray revealed a mass that was pushing Braden’s small organs. The mass was stage 4 neuroblastoma. Doctors missed Braden’s diagnosis in October—this meant Braden’s cancer secretly advanced. The Hofens do not blame doctors for this.

Want to hear something that will give you chills?

That same Halloween, my mom took me to a specialist (after months of doctor visits to search for what was wrong with me) who examined me and told us I did not have cancer. After “vigilant follow-up,” like the Hofens, my cancer was discovered a couple months later– the same December as Braden’s.

This story of missed diagnosis repeats itself over and over.

We need awareness.

We need funding for research

We need less-toxic, targeted therapies that cure without leaving life-long devastating effects

My six –year old buddy, Braden, has inspired thousands of people to join together to speak for children with cancer and work for change. How can we, when we see this sweet boy just wanting to be a boy, not do all we can to see that he and others have HOPE?

Braden is fighting for his life.

Please help open the floodgates of care and compassion by doing a show on childhood cancer.

My thanks,

Melinda

16 Year-old Author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

 
 

Hero Braden!

 

 

 

 

 

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