September often marks a time of transition: the weather cools, vibrant summer colors give way to autumn hues, and children head back to school. This month signifies new beginnings, as football season kicks off and young learners advance in their education. However, for children like 7-year-old Ethan Parker from San Diego, CA, September carries a deeper significance. Ethan is a courageous young fighter who has spent much of his life in and out of hospitals, and his family clings to hope for a future free from cancer.
In recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we want to share Ethan’s journey and the impactful work of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. At just over a year old, Ethan experienced complications from pneumonia that led to an unexpected diagnosis. A routine pediatric appointment revealed tumors in his abdomen and chest. His father, Mark, recounts the moment: “The oncology team initially suspected neuroblastoma, and further tests confirmed it had spread to his bones, pelvis, liver, and bone marrow.” Such devastating news is something no parent is ever prepared for.
After enduring chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy, Ethan was declared cancer-free in May 2013. However, just a few months later, a fall revealed a lesion on his femur, prompting yet another treatment. By October 2013, he had shown signs of recovery once again. Unfortunately, tumors reappeared shortly after. Thankfully, since 2014, Ethan has remained cancer-free, offering hope for a bright future for this resilient young boy.
A significant factor in Ethan’s ongoing health is the support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization founded by three entrepreneurs aiming to give back by shaving their heads. Their inaugural head-shaving event in 2000 aimed to raise $17,000 for childhood cancer research, but they ended up raising an impressive $104,000. To date, the foundation has generated over $253 million, all dedicated to funding research for childhood cancer.
One family that actively participates in the annual head-shaving event is the Taylor family from Glen Cove, NY, where one of St. Baldrick’s founders resides. Each year, following the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Glen Cove, the foundation hosts an event filled with live music, children’s activities, bake sales, and, most notably, volunteers shaving their heads.
In one touching story, young Liam Taylor expressed his desire to raise funds and shave his head in support of his friend, a boy named Jake, who had cancer. With his own fundraising page, Liam garnered over $6,000 in his first year and has continued to participate annually. The Taylor family has been personally affected by childhood cancer, understanding the importance of the St. Baldrick’s mission.
The foundation’s latest grant cycle in 2018 allocated $19.1 million to researchers and institutions focused on improving the lives of children battling cancer. Innovative treatments funded by St. Baldrick’s include an FDA-approved drug for neuroblastoma and the recent passing of the STAR Act, which will provide $30 million in funding over the next five years. Such initiatives are crucial for kids like Ethan and for others like Jake.
St. Baldrick’s emphasizes a commitment to purely funding research. While many organizations support patient services, St. Baldrick’s directs all resources to research, ensuring that donations genuinely contribute to advancements in pediatric cancer treatment. “For those donating to childhood cancer research, it’s vital to verify how much of your contribution goes directly to that cause,” the foundation notes on its website.
Families like the Parkers are grateful for the strides made possible by St. Baldrick’s. Mark shared, “After Ethan’s second relapse, he was part of a clinical trial involving an immunotherapy drug supported by St. Baldrick’s. That drug was approved as one of the very few pediatric cancer drugs in decades while Ethan was receiving it. The funding from St. Baldrick’s has opened doors for more treatment options for Ethan.”
The founders, Alex, Liam, and Noah, envisioned a way to support children battling cancer and continue to engage in the initiative alongside volunteers. The Taylor family, for instance, has raised significant funds through their participation, illustrating the impact of community involvement.
For families like the Parkers, who have spent countless hours in hospitals, the efforts from the foundation bring hope. They know that supporters, like the Taylors, are working tirelessly to improve treatment options for children. Thanks to St. Baldrick’s, kids like Ethan can aspire to grow up, contribute to society, and perhaps one day help others as they were helped.
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In summary, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation plays a pivotal role in funding critical research for childhood cancer, providing hope to families navigating the challenges of this disease. Their commitment to supporting innovative treatments has made a significant impact in the lives of young fighters like Ethan Parker.
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