6-Year-Old Superhero and Family Support Children’s Cancer Research at CureSearch Event

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Betsy Langan
Regional Manager, Development
(240) 235-2282 | betsy.langan@curesearch.org

St. Petersburg, FL – The Barber’s journey with children’s cancer started shortly after their daughter, Addison, turned a year old. In April of 2012, at her 18-month well visit, and after reporting some concern with her abdomen being distended, their pediatrician ordered an ultrasound and blood work. That same day, they were admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The next day, Addison was diagnosed with stage 5 bilateral Wilms tumor. Her right kidney was completely taken over by the tumor, her left kidney had a few spots of cancer, and it had spread to her lungs, where she had a few cancerous nodules. They still recall the shock, confusion and disbelief when the oncologist gave them the news.

“We went from our daughter having never had any illnesses as a young child, to having cancer,” says mother, Jaime. “She endured three surgeries, including one to remove her right kidney, 11 consecutive rounds of radiation, and six months of chemo infusions every Friday.”

Addison Barber, Wilms TumorAll smiles during treatment.

It was CureSearch who funded the clinical trial for Addison’s cancer, and the family felt relief and hope knowing they had a treatment plan that had been backed by research, giving Addison a 90% chance of a cure.

“Addison has always been a warrior, and although she fought her battle while she was too young to understand what was happening to her, as she grows, she is understanding more of what she endured. We look forward to supporting CureSearch so we as a family can help raise awareness and necessary funds for this amazing cause.”

Addison Barber, Wilms TumorOne strong superhero.

Addison will have her final scans this November, at age 7, when she will be considered CURED! The family looks forward to that day, more than ever, because it initially seemed so far away.
The Barber’s first CureSearch Walk was last September, and it was both memorable and deeply emotional. It was troubling for them to see so many children and families affected by this disease, but it gave them immense hope to know they are part of an event to honoring superheroes.

Addison Barber, Wilms TumorThe Barber family at a CureSearch event.

“We look forward to our team Hope for Addison to walk again this year in December in St. Petersburg to honor our little Superhero, and all of the other Superheroes out there!”

The entire community is invited to attend and celebrate with the Barbers and children with cancer – true superheroes – on December 10th at Walter Fuller Park. Register at curesearchsuperheroes.org/TampaBay.

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CureSearch for Children’s Cancer

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a national nonprofit organization based in Bethesda, Md, works to end childhood cancer by driving targeted and innovative research with measurable results in an accelerated time frame. CureSearch is building a $10 million research pipeline to aggressively drive pediatric research grants and clinical trials that have a higher chance of becoming cures for children’s cancer without the toxic side effects that plague current treatment options.

For more information, visit curesearch.org or curesearchsuperheroes.org, follow CureSearch on Twitter @curesearch or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/curesearch.

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