Special Love, Inc
Hello,
My name is Drew and I am raising money for Special Love. Special Love gives children and young adults with cancer and their families a chance to enjoy normal childhood activities that healthy kids often take for granted. From week-long camps, like Camp Fantastic and BRASS Camp (for siblings), to weekend retreats for families, teens, and young adults, Special Love's programs represent a community of support that shows kids with cancer and their families that they are not alone. Every penny counts. No amount is too small or unappreciated
If 200 people donate $5 I will reach the $1000 goal. Please pass this to EVERYONE you know. Together we WILL make a difference!
My Story:
At 4 years old I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive, adult brain tumor, rarely seen in children. The name of this beast is a Glioblastoma Multiforme. My parents were told to go home and enjoy their time of 5 – 12 months. I am happy to say it has been 6 years and I am doing well.
This is what I have been through the past six years, as written by my mom, Gina...
On April 22, 2004, Drew was diagnosed with brain cancer. He had a 2 ½ hour surgery to remove 98% of the tumor. The surgery went well and Drew recovered quickly. For treatment, Drew was then entered into phase III clinical trial that included 33 radiation treatments, 42 days of Temodar (chemotherapy) with 10 additional rounds of Temodar. One year from diagnosis, Drew completed the last round of chemo required for the clinical trial. As of, May 23, 2005, Drew has completed the treatment portion of the clinical trial. The MRI’s have shown no evidence of disease.
Unfortunately, the MRI on October 1, 2007 showed a tumor in the original tumor bed. Drew was scheduled for surgery on October 31, 2007. Drew’s surgery went well. The tumor was completely removed. The surgeon placed 3 Gliadel Wafers in the tumor bed. The pathology confirmed it was, again, Glioblastoma Multiforme. In December Drew’s chemotherapy treatment of Temodar started. He completed Temodar in May of 2008. His last MRI on February 2, 2011 showed no evidence of disease. Drew is no longer on treatment, but contiues to take many vitamins and supplements. Drew will continue to be monitored closely. He has recovered well from his last surgery and is doing most things that normal 11 year olds do.
Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate to my mission.
God Bless and thanks for helping!
It is our hope and prayer that by raising money for Special Love will help brighten a child's life during their cancer journey.
In April 2007, Drew started presenting symptoms of tumor recurrence. An emergency MRI performed, showed a new area of concern. This area was not in the tumor bed and it was not in the form of a mass, but more like a coating. After much deliberation, it was decided that the area was probably radiation necrosis (damage from the radiation). The only known treatment was steroids (Decadron) to manage his symptoms and the contraversial Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments. Drew started 60 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments at Duke University on May 30 and completed July 3, 2007. The MRI on July 5 showed great improvement. Drew was off the steroids and no longer showing any kind of symptoms.