Teams in Training for Kids with Cancer
Pensacola, Florida
Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 03:21 PM EDT
by: Cortney Owens; (850) 505-4739; cowens@nemours.org
Several commit to the San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon in honor of kids with cancer
Pensacola, FL - Six-year old Richard Arp and eight-year old Ashlan Brooks share something in common. They were both diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). In honor of these two wonderful kids on October 19, several individuals - all females, will participate in the San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon (1/2 marathon) as ambassadors for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
“Part of the healing process for anyone with cancer particularly children is to feel they are helping someone else. Richard is a child who cares for others and inspires others so having people honor him in the marathon is part of his healing,” says Julie Eggen, a certified social worker with Nemours Children’s Clinic in Pensacola, FL.
Ashlan is a great example of how far research in childhood leukemia has come. “It wasn't too long ago when childhood cancer survivors were a rarity. Now, the majority of children like Ashlan, are treated and have their whole lives to look forward to,” said Chatchawin Assanasen, MD, Ashlan’s doctor and pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Nemours Children’s Clinic. “There is still much more work to do. Teams in training is a wonderful way for our community to show its support for these children and their families.”What Is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?
ALL occurs when the original acute leukemia cell go on to form about a trillion more leukemia cells. These cells are described as non-functional; because they do not work like normal cells. They also crowd out the normal cells in the marrow. In turn, this causes a decrease in the number of new normal cells made in the marrow. This further results in low red cell counts. ALL is most common in children under 15 .More information:
- www.nemours.org – about Nemours Children’s Clinic
- www.kidshealth.org – for topics addressing kids, teens & parents on ALL
- www.leukemia-lymphoma.org – about cancer support
- www.wingsofhopeinc.org – about Wings of Hope pediatric support group
- www.teamintraining.org – about marathon training
- www.richardsteam.org – about Richard Arp
- www.caringbridge.org/fl/ashlan - about Ashlan Brooks
About Richard …
Richard was diagnosed a year ago with ALL. There are 12 families committed to raising monies with 6 of these families participating in the marathon. These individuals will walk/run in the ½ marathon portion and are members of the Alabama/Gulf Coast Chapter Team in Training. Over $30,000 has been raised so far in Richard’s name for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Fundraisers done to date include lemonade stands, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, bridge party, water aerobics, plant sale, Boston butt roast sale, yard sale, bagging groceries, spaghetti dinner, bunco parties and letter campaigns.
“Our inspiration for this quest is the story of Richard, who just one year ago was diagnosed with Leukemia. His relentless strength, perseverance, and amazing resilience are our motivation to push ourselves beyond our normal physical boundaries and to make this commitment,” says one of Richard’s team members.
For more information about Richard’s story and his team, visit www.richardsteam.org
About Ashlan …
Ashlan was diagnosed with ALL four years ago and is now in remission. Ashlan is a “team honoree” for the Alabama/Gulf Coast Chapter Team for the Nike Women’s Marathon in October. A team honoree means if someone is running in the marathon and does not have someone to run for, they will run in honor of Ashlan. After Ashlan was diagnosed with ALL, her mother, Natalee, started a pediatric support group called Gulf Coast Wings of Hope. Wings of Hope is designed to assist the families of children with blood and cancer diseases by giving emotional support, education, and acting as advocates for improved care for the patients. Natalee is planning on participating in the Country Music ½ Marathon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Nashville, TN, in April, 2009.
For more information about Ashlan, visit www.caringbridge.org/fl/ashlan
Upcoming Local Event:
Light the Night Walk , October 9, 2008, 6:00 pm University of West Florida
About the event: Light the Night Walk is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. People form teams of friends and family or co-workers and walk at twilight holding illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters, gold in memory of a life lost. Teams raise funds for cancer research and bring help and hope to people battling cancer. More than a walk, the evening is a supportive community gathering that includes music, food and family activities. For more information, www.lightthenight.org/al
modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 03:40 PM EDT
created: Thursday, August 28, 2008 @ 03:24 PM EDT
About Nemours
Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.
Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.
Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.
