In our continue support for cancer survivors Lisa and I (Arnie Levine cancer survivor) met with Bianca Rollbusch 7 years old and  Grant Foster 4 years old, to do a photo shoot for my fundraiser Operation Bear Hug.    

You may know someone who has fought cancer or you may have battled the disease yourself. As difficult as that is, it is even harder for a child.  The fear is more than what anyone should have to endure.  We may not be able to take away the pills, doctors, or treatments, but we can help.   At The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), we believe that no child should undergo treatment alone. Our solution is Operation Bear Hug (OBH).  OBH provides a Teddy Bear for every child battling a blood cancer.  This huggable companion carries the friendship, strength, hope and love that children need to support them in their fight.   Meet Bianca, battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  Bianca battled over two years of treatment with her bear “Champ”.  She is a perfect example of how your dollars not only support cutting edge cancer research, but improve the quality of life for our patients.  Champ accompanied Bianca during chemotherapy treatments, blood-draws, bone marrow aspirations, and many side effects.  At age four she was swallowing pills bigger than most adults can m durance and courage.  Bianca is now gratefully in remission and Champ has remained as a constant friend in her life. Family and medical professionals continued to be impressed by her en remained as a constant friend in her life.  Meet Grant, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2008 shortly after his second birthday. Hislife began a journey that included long hospital stays, painful shots, blood draws, finger pokes, spinal taps, and distasteful medications.  Grant was very sensitive to the medications during the first six intensive months of treatment.  The pain and muscle weakness caused by the chemotherapy left Grant immobile for over a month.  He attended physical therapy for several months to learn to sit-up, crawl and finally walk again. 

Grant is now four years old and half-way through his chemotherapy treatment.   But even on the maintenance—a less intensive part of the treatment—Grant is highly sensitive to the medications.  It is a challenge to keep his immunity system strong and avoid viruses.  This means that he cannot attend preschool or daycare yet and we need to avoid indoor public places most of the time.

Throughout these challenges Grant remains a beautiful and intelligent little boy with a spirit of enthusiasm and humor that will capture the heart of anyone he encounters.   Grant loves his TV friends Scooby-Doo, Dora and Diego.  He spends a lot of time with Play-doh and Legos in which he is playing at several levels above his age group.  He loves to go to the Zoo, Legoland, or on a tricycle-ride to play at the park.

You can participate and support (in conjunction with LLS’ Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ) my fundraiser  at Operation Bear Hug. This will provide comfort to our young patients through companionship and love.  Please don’t delay, be a hero, send a hug today!  

Please click here to make your donation!