Carolina has Heart: Santa runs to give back (WCNC)
The thing really drawing attention to Santa is what he’s doing when he’s not delivering gifts — he’s running.
Charlotte’s unsung heroes: They made Charlotte better in 2018(Charlotte Observer)
Each year, the Observer editorial board searches for heroes among us who make our city and region better. This year, we’ve found people who’ve made the most of a second chance, helped dads connect with children, helped students explore and forever changed treatment of cancer in Charlotte. (We published our first two honorees yesterday.) To them, and to all who make our community better, we say thank you!
First MIBG Therapy Patient Paves the Way at Levine Children’s Hospital
On this beautiful Christmas Eve morning, we received texts and emails letting us know the first MIBG patient in the new ISF MIBG suite at Levine Children’s has been discharged after a successful admission! This puts a bow on 2018 for us… our hearts are overflowing. Merry Christmas to everyone who helped make this a reality.
Alexandra (center) was the first patient to receive MIBG treatment in the new The Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG therapy suite at Levine Children’s Hospital. Her treatment went well, and she thought it was “so cool” to be the first patient, making history and paving the way for others.
Now, Alexandra is glad to be spending Christmas at home with her family, complete with movie nights (Disney and popcorn – her favorite!) and continuing to reach for her dreams: being on Broadway.
More details about the ISF MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s.
Max – The Mighty Cancer Warrior
Max the mighty cancer warrior
Max is a neuroblastoma warrior. The energetic and active three-year-old has been fighting high-risk Stage IV Neuroblastoma since August.
His diagnosis came as a complete surprise to his parents, Dianna and Roger, who say that Max was the healthiest and wildest kid you’d ever meet.
Max sometimes complained about knee pain and then his eye started getting puffy. Then one day, his eye looked black and blue and got worse. Then the other eye turned yellow and started to bruise. Knowing something was off, Max’s parents took him to the doctor for blood work.
The results showed cancer, so his pediatrician called Dr. Oesterheld at Levine Children’s Hospital, where Max was admitted immediately. It was there that Max and his parents became part of the LCH family under the great care of Dr. Oesterheld and an amazing team of nurses and other medical professionals to begin a long and rigorous treatment process.
Max’s Treatment
The primary tumor is on Max’s liver, on two lymph nodes on his abdomen, and his eye. He recently had 30 percent of his liver removed, a resection surgery to remove his tumors, and received his sixth round of chemotherapy. He has also had 11-12 blood transfusions and four platelet transfusions since August.
Max the mighty cancer warrior
Max still has bone cancer on the entire top of his skull, right upper arm, pelvis, spine, and legs. His treatment is being pushed back three to four months, because his cancer isn’t quite ready to move forward with the original treatment plan, which would include a high dose of chemotherapy and stem cells. He may end up needing MIBG Therapy.
“I would never want anyone else to have to go through this,” said Max’s mom, Dianna. “It’s very scary, but we are very grateful to the amazing team at Levine Children’s Hospital who are like a second family.”
Max is part of DFMO drug study at LCH to help prevent relapse of neuroblastoma. As part of the study, he takes a chemotherapy pill at home. Fortunately, it doesn’t add any additional side effects or toxicity.
Max bounces back between treatments and enjoys his time at home in Montgomery County where he and his family have a hobby farm. Max’s best friend is his chicken named Pumpkin who is like a dog in the way he plays with him and follows him around.
Pediatric Cancer Funding
Max receiving treatment at Levine Children’s Hospital
It wasn’t until this summer’s shocking news that Dianna realized how much funding is needed in the pediatric cancer field. Since Max’s diagnosis, his parents have become passionate about raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer and supporting local hospitals like Levine Children’s because they don’t turn people away.
Adds Dianna, “These hospitals are like angels doing everything they can do to give all these kids a fighting chance. My new mission is educating people about rare childhood cancer. No baby, three-year-old or teenager deserves to die because there is not enough money to save their lives. I will do whatever I can to make a difference.”
If you are interested in helping support Max during his treatment to assist with medical expenses and gas cards for their two-hour trip from Montgomery County to Levine Children’s Hospital, please email Dianna at dianna.lariviere@gmail.com to her PayPal.
Max and his pet chicken Pumpkin
Max, Cancer Messed With the Wrong Kid
Max and Santa
