The Day That Changed My Life - Sammy's Journey

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. According to research cancer still kills more kids over the age of 1 than any other disease. Nearly 16,000 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year. The agony of having a child diagnosed with cancer is indescribable. When your child has aches and pains you may be quick to assume that perhaps it's a fever/flu but certainly nothing too serious. After all, they're young and healthy. Well, Sammy's journey has touched many lives as shared by his parents Rabbis Michael and Phyllis Sommer.


While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Gene Therapy May Save Your Life

When facing a terminal illness, hope begins to fade rather quickly. The chances of something working requires great faith or in some cases - a what have I got to lose at this point, attitude. For some patients who were given the "there's nothing more that we can do," they enrolled in the clinical trial program at New York City's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the results for some were remarkable. Can you imagine the largest clinical study ever conducted to date of patients with advanced leukemia found that 88 percent achieved complete remissions after being treated with genetically modified versions of their own immune cells? Well, here's the journey of Paolo Cavalli.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - When Cancer Strikes Two In One Family

Summar Ruelle worked really hard to lose the weight she had gained during her pregnancy. It was time to get her body back and improve on her health and wellness. In fact, her exercise and diet rewarded Summar with a loss of 60 pounds. You can only imagine how great it was for Summar to see the progress she was making.

Sadly, things took a different turn when Summar felt a mass in her left breast. At first test of a mammogram did not show anything. However, an ultrasound and further tests indicated that Summar had Stage IV breast cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes, spine, ribs, hips and collar bone.

As if it could not get any worse, a week later, the three year old daughter Sapphire was diagnosed with leukemia. Needless to say, all of Summar's concerns for her own health were now refocused on her baby's diagnosis. Our thoughts and prayers are with Summar, Sapphire, Pascal(husband/dad)and their son as this journey is certainly a challenge that affects the entire family unit. Learn more about The Ruelle Family and how you may help. Please share their story - someone else may also be able to also help this family.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - A Courageous Show of Support by Former President George H. W. Bush

A child diagnosed with cancer is one that really hits the core. No one wants to see a child suffer and having to fight or face a disease known to have high death rates. It can really be a bit too much to bare for all involved. On the bright side of life, there are many heart wrenching moments where a community comes together to raise awareness and funds in support of those diagnosed with cancer.

As we all know, every child is important, special and unique. Each child who has been diagnosed with cancer deserves the love and support of everyone who can and are willing to help. One young boy Patrick has the support of a former President of the United States. The senior President George H.W. Bush, a parent who was also touched by the loss of his four year old daughter to leukemia, made a courageous and thoughtful move in shaving his head along with some very brave and wonderful Secret Service men on his team. Can you pass the box of tissues? Makes you want to shave your head too, doesn't it?

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Be The Match

Many times we hear of the calls for donors as someone on the other end is in need of a life saving transplant. As we sit and wish that there is something that we could do, many of us are a bit leery of being the match. We have heard of the stories of how excruciatingly painful the process can be - even hearing that it is worse for the donor than the recipient. Needless to say, we hesitate and then eventually the thought leaves us until we hear of another heart warming, tear jerking, joyful story.

There is an organization called Be The Match that helps to connect patients with their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant.

We have found one of those heart warming, tear jerking, joyful journeys and just had to share it with you, it all came together through Be The Match. Erika Turner sits with Robin Roberts and shares her journey with the Good Morning America viewers as she prepares to meet her perfect match Christopher Magoon for the first time. While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Cancer an uncertain journey

This weekend we all learned of Kevin McGuire an 18 year old cancer patient who had to miss out on his big date as Taylor Swift's escort to the Country Music Awards Ceremony. As Taylor Swift accepted her Entertainer of the Year Award, she sent a special hello to Kevin.

According to the news reports, Kevin has been diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 13. It was a major adjustment for the family as Kevin battled the disease and at one point it appeared that they were winning. However, at the age of 15, the cancer returned. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin (an athlete) is on the high school football team. He was looking forward to his big date with Taylor Swift when he had a major set back. He was hospitalized with a fever of 103 and could not make the event. It is moments like these that keeps us aware of the uncertain journey of cancer.

Kevin remains positive and responds humorously to his date with Taylor as he laid in his hospital bed. "Well, how many people can say they turned down Taylor Swift?" Kevin McGuire.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.



We're cheering you on Kevin!!