This is my younger brother, Andy, and me on his 5th birthday. Two months earlier, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Wilms tumor, a cancer that affects kidneys in children. Instead of enjoying preschool, he stayed as a patient in the children's hospital in Kansas City or was an outpatient receiving chemo and radiation.
Family Matters
Cancer doesn't just affect the patient. It affected my parents, my youngest brother, and myself too. My parents, then a grade-school teacher and a lab technician, took days off of work to be with my brother. Medical bills piled up. My youngest brother, Robby, was 3-years-old at the time. I was in the 4th grade. He and I would sometimes stay with family on the weekends and visit our brother on Sundays instead of going to church. We saw our parents less, and we were struck with sadness as we watched our brother endure and fight the pain. We will not know the same pain as my brother, but I can testify that cancer affects more than just the patient.
It's not over once the chemo stops.
Eleven years after his diagnosis, Andy is now a healthy 16-year-old who is active in his school's Army JROTC program and in Boy Scouts. However, the cancer did impact his emotional and social perceptions. He also had to wear a leg/ankle brace in elementary school to correct the way he walked/ran, due to taking chemo while still rapidly growing.
September is the month designated as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
My family was blessed with friends, family, resources, and non-profit organizations or groups that helped us out during and after this crazy time. One of these groups is Camp Quality. Andy attends a camp nearly every year that is designed specifically for cancer patients/survivors and their siblings (if there is room). The camp is free and is run by volunteers.They are funded by "community groups, small and large businesses, private foundations and individual donors". My youngest brother and I also had the privilege of attending a few years, and I came back one year as a volunteer. It is one of my favorite non-profits because I know that it makes a difference in these kids' lives. The patients/survivors have a chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues. Siblings, who often face a myriad of emotions regarding their sibling's condition have a chance to bond with other siblings too. As a volunteer, you also recognize aspects of your life that you take for granted.
Camp Quality is located mostly in Midwest of the U.S. and in a few other countries. They would appreciate volunteers, item donations, and/or funding assistance. As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I urge you to consider volunteering (either for a day or two, or the whole week), sending items, donating, or involving your organization or business. Camp Quality is an experience that does make a real difference in these kids' lives. Your donation and/or volunteering will be put to good here! For more information, please visit www.campqualityusa.org
