The Childhood Cancer Perspective

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier and Laura discuss the challenges and realities of navigating childhood cancer. Laura shares her personal journey with her daughter Cecilia's leukemia diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of advocacy, support, and self-care for parents. They explore the emotional toll on families, the significance of sibling involvement, and the need for open communication ab...

In this episode, Curtis Vallier speaks with Avah Sunflower, a 13-year-old cancer survivor who shares her journey with Wilms tumor. They discuss the importance of community, sibling support, and advocacy in the pediatric cancer world. Ava emphasizes the role of CureFest in connecting families and the significance of child life specialists in making hospital experiences less daunting. The conversati...

In this heartfelt conversation, Bianca shares the emotional journey of her son Aiden, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at just nine months old. The discussion covers the challenges of navigating the medical system, the impact of cancer on family dynamics, and the resilience required to face ongoing treatment and setbacks. Bianca reflects on the emotional toll of her son's illness, the importa...

In this heartfelt conversation, Bianca shares the emotional journey of her son Aiden, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at just nine months old. The discussion covers the challenges of navigating the medical system, the impact of cancer on family dynamics, and the resilience required to face ongoing treatment and setbacks. Bianca reflects on the emotional toll of her son's illness, the importa...

In this episode of the Childhood Cancer Perspective, Curtis Vallier and Brian Burkhardt discuss the journey of the Oliver Patch Project, which was inspired by Brian's son Oliver's battle with leukemia. They explore the importance of community support, the various programs offered by the Oliver Patch Project, and the challenges faced in raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer initiatives...

In this episode, Curtis Vallier speaks with Lulu, the mother of Raymond, an eight-year-old boy battling leukemia. Lulu shares the harrowing journey of Raymond's diagnosis, the misdiagnosis he faced, and the emotional toll it has taken on their family. They discuss the importance of parental advocacy, the misconceptions surrounding childhood cancer, and the need for support systems. Raymond's desir...

In this episode, Curtis Vallier speaks with Lulu, the mother of Raymond, an eight-year-old boy battling leukemia. Lulu shares the harrowing journey of Raymond's diagnosis, the misdiagnosis he faced, and the emotional toll it has taken on their family. They discuss the importance of parental advocacy, the misconceptions surrounding childhood cancer, and the need for support systems. Raymond's desir...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier and Dr. Ashleigh Kussman discuss the multifaceted impact of pediatric cancer, drawing from personal experiences as a survivor and a parent. They explore the emotional and psychological aspects of healing, the challenges faced during medical training, and the importance of empathy in healthcare. The discussion emphasizes the need for increased awareness, funding...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier and Dr. Ashleigh Kussman discuss the multifaceted impact of pediatric cancer, drawing from personal experiences as a survivor and a parent. They explore the emotional and psychological aspects of healing, the challenges faced during medical training, and the importance of empathy in healthcare. The discussion emphasizes the need for increased awareness, funding...

In this episode, Curtis Vallier and Alex share the harrowing journey of Alex's son, Willie, who has battled stage four hepatoblastoma. They discuss the emotional and psychological toll of a cancer diagnosis on families, the challenges of navigating hospital stays, and the importance of support systems. Alex expresses her desire to become a nurse to help other families facing similar struggles, whi...

In this episode, Curtis Vallier and Alex share the harrowing journey of Alex's son, Willie, who has battled stage four hepatoblastoma. They discuss the emotional and psychological toll of a cancer diagnosis on families, the challenges of navigating hospital stays, and the importance of support systems. Alex expresses her desire to become a nurse to help other families facing similar struggles, whi...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Martine about her son Jackson's battle with Ewing Sarcoma, detailing his recent health scares, the challenges of pediatric cancer, and the establishment of the JC Strong Fund aimed at supporting research for Ewing's relapse trials. They discuss the importance of advocacy, the emotional journey of families dealing with cancer, and the need for more re...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Martine about her son Jackson's battle with Ewing Sarcoma, detailing his recent health scares, the challenges of pediatric cancer, and the establishment of the JC Strong Fund aimed at supporting research for Ewing's relapse trials. They discuss the importance of advocacy, the emotional journey of families dealing with cancer, and the need for more re...

Elizabeth shares the story of her son Caleb's diagnosis and treatment for neuroblastoma. She discusses the misdiagnosis and delays in getting the correct diagnosis, as well as the challenges they faced during treatment. Elizabeth also talks about the lack of support and understanding from others, both during and after treatment. Curtis emphasizes the importance of listening to parents and giving t...

Elizabeth shares the story of her son Caleb's diagnosis and treatment for neuroblastoma. She discusses the misdiagnosis and delays in getting the correct diagnosis, as well as the challenges they faced during treatment. Elizabeth also talks about the lack of support and understanding from others, both during and after treatment. Curtis emphasizes the importance of listening to parents and giving t...

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin grants wishes to children battling critical illnesses, dispelling the myth that it is only for terminally ill children. The impact of a wish goes beyond the immediate joy and happiness it brings. It can have long-lasting effects on a child's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Wishes range from trips to Disney World or Hawaii to unique experiences like finding Bigfoot...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Elena Bliss, the mother of a child who battled cancer. They discuss the challenges and experiences of navigating the childhood cancer community, including misdiagnosis, treatment decisions, and the lack of options and information provided by doctors. They also touch on the financial burden of cancer treatment and the need for more research and attent...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Elena Bliss, the mother of a child who battled cancer. They discuss the challenges and experiences of navigating the childhood cancer community, including misdiagnosis, treatment decisions, and the lack of options and information provided by doctors. They also touch on the financial burden of cancer treatment and the need for more research and attent...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier speaks with Honey Ahmed, a childhood cancer survivor, about her experience with acute lymphocytic leukemia. They discuss the challenges of misdiagnosis, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and the long-term effects of cancer. They also highlight the importance of support from healthcare professionals and the impact of childhood cancer on siblings. The...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier speaks with Honey Ahmed, a childhood cancer survivor, about her experience with acute lymphocytic leukemia. They discuss the challenges of misdiagnosis, the physical and emotional toll of treatment, and the long-term effects of cancer. They also highlight the importance of support from healthcare professionals and the impact of childhood cancer on siblings. The...

Part 2 In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Rob, the father of Ariana Labella, who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at the age of nine and passed away in 2022. They discuss the strength and resilience of children with cancer, the importance of community support, and the impact of childhood cancer on families. They also touch on the need for continued support after a child's passing...

In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Rob, the father of Ariana Labella, who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at the age of nine and passed away in 2022. They discuss the strength and resilience of children with cancer, the importance of community support, and the impact of childhood cancer on families. They also touch on the need for continued support after a child's passing and the...

In this conversation, Curtis interviews Sam, a pediatric cancer survivor and ambassador for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Sam shares his journey of being diagnosed with leukemia and becoming paralyzed from the chest down due to a bleed in his spinal cord. Despite the challenges, Sam remains positive and is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer. The conversation highlig...

In this conversation, Curtis interviews Sam, a pediatric cancer survivor and ambassador for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Sam shares his journey of being diagnosed with leukemia and becoming paralyzed from the chest down due to a bleed in his spinal cord. Despite the challenges, Sam remains positive and is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer. The conversation highlig...

In this conversation, Curtis interviews Cara, a mother whose son Cameron was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding pediatric cancer, including the resilience of children, the ongoing fear of relapse, and the lack of funding and research for pediatric cancers. They also highlight the importance of finding the right medical team and ad...