WELCOME TO JARED ( and KIRSTEN) STRAYER'S CARING BRIDGE PAGE
This page has been created to keep friends and families updated on Jared's battle with Neuroblastoma.
Jared is a 8 years old "little" guy. On July 15, 2003 (one month after his 2nd birthday) Jared was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that has a high rate of relapse. Jared was n-myc amplified with unfavorable pathology.
Jared was treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Hershey Medical Center on CHP-667 (COG ANBL00P1).
He went through 5 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, 2 stem cell transplants, radiation and 6 months of Accutane. Jared finished Accutane in 10/2004.
Jared has been NED since 12/2003.
Jared is kicking NB butt. Jared is an independant, strong willed and fun loving energetic little guy that keeps us on our toes.
We are thankful everyday at how well Jared is doing after all he has been through.
Jared and his 9 year old sister, Kirsten, are a close knit pair and can always be found together playing or "planning something".
We are thankful for both our little ones.
Please view the guest book while you are here and leave a message so we know you were here checking in on us.
Thank you for stopping by.
Connie
Jared had repeat scans (MIBG and CT of the abdomen) in March 2008 and we are thrilled that NED (No evidence of disease) status is continued. Our next and last scans will not be for an entire year, which means March of 2009.
TO DOANTE TO THE DANCE A THON YOU MAY GO TO http://www.thon.org
The dance a thon raises money for families dealing with pediatric cancer at Hershey Medical Center. If you do donate, donate in honor of our Penn State sponsering organization, LIFE house. I know they will appreciate it.
Lunch for life is an organization that raises money for Neuroblastoma research.
I thank you all for your donations to Lunch for Life You can click on the above link and see Jared's tree, how much money we have raised and who has donated.
JARED IS A FIVE YEAR EVENT FREE SURVIVOR !!!
This is a direct link to an organization that supports childhood cancer. The goal of this organization is to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer. The goal next year is to raise the same awareness for childhood cancer month (September) as Breast cancer gets in October. Help us reach our goal. You can also go to this site and sign a pediatric cancer petition. Please sign the petition and help our goal.
This is Dr. Grupp (Jared's oncologist who is battling Lymphoma, as he also continues to treat kids with cancer, and does research to find a cure for the same Lymphoma hw is battling). Join us to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of this gentelman
You can either join and walk with us or make a donation if you are able. Thank you for your support and for checking in on us
Journal
Monday, June 8, 2009 5:49 PM CDT
Today is Jared’s 8th birthday. Happy birthday “little guy”. We are so blessed to be celebrating Jared’s 8th birthday today. With each passing day and year we are realize how blessed we are today and every day. My little boy is growing up. I hate to admit that, but I have to. Jared is having a birthday party next weekend with a few friends. May we celebrate 100 more of these days……….
School is out for the summer. Jared is going to be going into 3rd grade in the fall, and Kirsten is going onto 5th grade. They both had a wonderful year this year.
Jared’s teacher was phenomenal. If any of you know Mrs. Harris, you can contest to that statement. She was fantastic. Jared had Mrs. High for reading who was also fantastic. I do not know how we got so lucky to have 2 wonderful teachers. I hope our luck stays with us next year. Jared’s reading has improved so much this past year. It is amazing how well he does now compared to the beginning of the school year. Now our job is to keep it going during the summer. Oh I have to remember to do it. You know how it is. Summer begins with swimming and fun, fun , fun and you forget the work part. I am going to try to remember to read this summer.
Kirsten was named one of the most improved kids in her class, which she was. She had a wonderful year too. Her school year started out kind of rocky, but then once she started homework club and kicked her studying up a notch, she did fantastic. The last two marking periods she had all A’s and B’s. She brought her science grade up from a C the first two marking periods to an A the last one. Way to go Kirsten. She too had wonderful teachers.
The kids started summer playground this week. They will go there Monday – Thursday till the end of July. That will occupy some of their summer time and let them have fun with their friends. We are thinking about joining the community pool, but have not done it yet, maybe next week.
Kirsten’s soccer is over now. She has decided to join the summer swim team. I think she loves the sports but more than that she loves the socialization that goes with it. She is our social butterfly.
Mike is watching the kids this summer. We decided it would cost more to have him find a job and for us to pay a baby sitter, then for him to just stay home this summer and find a job in the fall. The kids enjoy him being home and he enjoys being home with them, especially when they listen to him. So hopefully the kids listen to him so they can have a fun summer.
We continue to fundraise for our two events coming up. The first one being the MS 150 which is the beginning of October. I am up to around 20-38 miles at a ride. Mike is a little behind that but once he gets into a routine, he will catch up. We are also still fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society event in honor of Dr. Grupp. I will soon be getting the brochures we made up from the printer for the event. Once I get them, I am planning a trip to Philadelphia to drop them off at the Hospital to recruit more team members (either patients or staff) to join us to raise awareness and funding for LLS. I am hoping Dr. Grupp will be able to join us too. There is a direct link above the journal, where you may go and join us or donate to our cause. We would love more walkers for the walk too. His sister sent me an email stating he is now definitely in remission. That is fantastic news!!! GO, FIGHT, KICK CANCER BUTT, DR. GRUPP!!
Speaking of cancer, since my last post, Tanner Dohrman (the little boy we met from the Poconos during our last visit to CHOP) lost his battle with Neuroblastoma and he is now in heaven watching over us. Rest in peace Tanner. We think of you as you are no longer in pain. But you are missed by many.
Keep all the families fighting cancer and those who have lost loved ones in your prayers.
Connie
P.S. I am soon going to be doing a ham sandwich sale to raise money for the MS 150 bike ride. All the money goes to the Nation Multiple Sclerosis Society. I am riding in the MS 150 in honor of Stephanie Rhoads, she is the daughter of a girl I work with who has MS. If youwant to help by selling or buying sandwiches, let me know.
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