Kirsten Finley and Jamie Franzini, both coincidentally from the same Congressional District in Florida–that of Rep. DeSantis (R-FL-6)–discuss their recent and tragic losses and resulting action in advocacy for children with cancer to inspire greater awareness for the perilous situation so many families find themselves in every day in the…
Ginny McLean, Communications and Outreach Director for Swifty Foundation joins us to discuss the Hike 4 Pennies program with hiker Erick Montgomery who has taken on the challenge of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Tijuana, Mexico to the Canadian border to raise funds for urgently needed pediatric brain cancer research.…
Both parents Dean and Wendy Fachon join us to share the story of their son Neil Fachon’s diagnosis of DIPG, one of the deadliest pediatric brain cancers. Their journey included the hope of an experimental treatment at the Burzynski Clinic near Houston, TX, and what it was like to endure…
What would you do if your doctors provided no solutions for your child, when nowhere in your country was hope for survival inferred by treatment? Melany Knott tells us about her daughter Kaisey who is currently 17 months out of a diagnosis of DIPG, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, for which…
Melissa Castango joins us to share the story of her daughter Zoe, diagnosis with brain cancer and the beginnings of her journey with Zoe’s Butterfly Foundation in Milford, CT. The realities of a terminal diagnosis for the family including changes in friendships, family structure, and the desire to honor and…
Heroes and Angels in Little Rock, AR is the real deal: a small, grassroots organization doing everything humanly and angelically possible to support children with cancer by helping local families, raising awareness to the urgent need for greater pediatric research funding, and with Ken’s amazing bike rides for kids. He’s…
Jim Churchman joins us to share the story of the Smile High Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to putting smiles on faces and hope in the hearts of children facing illness or any physical challenge. A stuntman for many years, Jim Churchman is a 2nd Unit Director and Stunt Coordinator…
Nurse and family confidante Nick Maroulis, and brother of Theodore Vasilis Ntoumas join us to discuss Batten disease and the effects of fatal, rare, pediatric disease on the family and in a country where support is so difficult to instate. Nick comes to us from Greece, while we speak with…
Paul Melmeyer, Director of Federal Policy for NORD, the National Organization for Rare Disorders,joins us to discuss NORD’s advocacy activities at the local, State, and federal level. The pioneering organization in support of all patients with rare diseases first introduced the Orphan Disease Act in 1983, the year of its…
Gerry Tye joins us from Sydney Australia to discuss the changes in the childhood cancer community over the past six years. A father of three boys, Gerry’s middle child Talin (age 5) was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012, passing away shortly thereafter. Beginning in relative obscurity, Gerry’s advocacy for…
