BROOKSVILLE- September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Many events are being held in our area to educate our communities on how a diagnosis can affect a child and their family, to provide knowledge to those seeking information, as well as to show support to those currently fighting childhood cancer.
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Rockin’ with Rea dance party celebration was held last weekend at a beautiful venue donated by the Umsted Family of Brooksville. Rea Paterson, a local three year old girl who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at age two, is now celebrating no evidence of disease (NED) after 15 straight months of aggressive treatment and will begin her clinical trials and medication for remission maintenance. Neuroblastoma is the most common extra cranial solid cancer in childhood. It is the most common cancer in infancy with 650 cases being diagnosed every year, half of which occur in children younger than two.
SuperRea, as she is affectionately called by family and friends is just that: a tiny superhero who has bravely fought against her diagnosis, maintained her smile and spunk. She has been a source of hope and optimism not only for her family but for friends both near and far. Many of those friends now include children and their families that have also been affected by childhood cancer. The event was aptly named Rockin’ with Rea, highlighting the little girl’s affinity for dancing. She danced herself through each hospital admission and helped her family to keep dancing right along with her.
Team Rea includes Rea, her parents Derek and Rochelle, twin sister Halle, sisters Ashley and Myla as well as the many family and friends who have been a huge source of support for the family. Team Rea has partnered with Anthony’s Army on this rocking event to also celebrate Anthony Miceli, another beautiful 3 year old who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. He was just behind Rea in treatment when it was discovered that he had relapsed. Anthony and his mother Nikki were unable to attend the event due to a weakened immune system from treatment, but Spiderman was there to “FaceTime” little Anthony to ensure he was part of the special day.
“It means a lot to us to see so many people come together, who don’t even know us, to help us and make childhood cancer awareness a bigger priority. More research needs to be funded to find a cure, so that no other family ever has to go through this,” Nikki Miceli said in thanks to all who showed their support. There is no established treatment for relapsed Neuroblastoma and the doctors who specialize in treatments are all located outside of Florida. As one can imagine this creates difficulty for Anthony’s mother, who raises Anthony on her own. A “GO FUND ME” account has been set up in order to raise donations for the cost of hospital admissions, treatment and travel. One can donate any dollar amount to www.gofundme.com/anthonystrong
It is important to both families that the community understands what resources are out there for families that receive a diagnosis. ‘Momcologists’ as they refer to themselves have spent countless hours and sleepless nights doing research and finding the resources they need for care and support as well as activities that can maintain a sense of normalcy in the family. They have found several organizations that provide exceptional care and support. Those include All Children’s Hospital Hematology/ Oncology Group, Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa, Children Battling Cancer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and the 1Voice Foundation which provides support groups and a way for families to connect by providing fun activities.
Local organizations can take a page from Tampa Bay Rays playbook and lend a helping hand not only by way of monetary donations and fundraisers, but also by visiting children in the hospital and helping the children maintain their beautiful, courageous smiles. Our Tampa Bay Rays donated a signed Jersey for the Rockin’ with Rea event for the silent auction that was held. They also invited our friend Anthony to sit with the players in the dugout during a game.
So many children and their families were in attendance to celebrate Rea and help raise awareness and resources for Anthony. Among them were Amy Castro who lost her beautiful daughter Amiyah after a brave battle with a rare form of leukemia, Hypo-diploid ALL, when she was just 7 years old. Amiyah’s life and those of others were celebrated and honored with a slideshow presentation that included the many children battling this disease.
Another mother, Lauren Lemieux, shared her adorable son Ollie’s story, a toddler who had been diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) and is now in remission. An important message she wanted to share with the community is that the worst thing you can do is to say nothing. There are never the right words to give when someone you love has told you their child has received a cancer diagnosis. However one should not be afraid to lend an ear, drop off a warm meal, or offer babysitting to give the parents a welcome respite. Just simply knowing that they have support is worth a thousand words, just don’t pretend it doesn’t exist.
It is heartwarming to see our community come together for these children who desperately need our help. All services at the Rockin’ with Rea event were donated. The people who have reached out to these families is astounding and too many to list.
Rochelle Paterson wanted to thank everyone who attended the Rockin’ with Rea event and those who offered some form of support to Rea and Anthony. It would mean the world to her if you would continue to care beyond the event. Every 3 minutes worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer and this horrific journey begins for another family. She needs your help to raise childhood cancer awareness and fund pediatric cancer research to help prevent and cure this disease.
Currently, the National Cancer Institute only spends 4% of its budget on pediatric cancer funding, the rest goes to funding adult cancer. These children need to be able to depend on advanced medicine to develop drugs that work, with low toxicity. They need us to be their voice and their superhero (cape optional).
Team Rea and Anthony’s Army also wanted to share potential resources that fund childhood cancer research if anyone would like to make cash donations to help find a cure:
Because of Ezra
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Anthony’s Army donations: www.gofundme.com/Anthonystrong
