It’s a great feeling knowing that others are as dedicated to finding cures for children with cancer as CureSearch is. One such organization is Harlan’s Heroes, which was founded by Jacki and Jonathan after their son Harlan passed away from brain cancer.
We asked Jacki some questions about Harlan’s Heroes and children’s cancer:
Q. Why was Harlan’s Heroes created?
A. In February 2013, just two months after turning two years old, Harlan, my only child, was diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought through a total of two diagnoses (original and relapse), two craniotomies, four cycles of high dose chemotherapy, 66 total proton beam radiation treatments, six Avastin infusions, countless sedations, and “boo boos” before earning his wings just six weeks shy of turning four years old.
It was during Harlan’s battle that my husband and I saw the lack of aid. So much is available for patients and families at the time of “original” diagnosis; grants, gift cards, toys, etc. Unfortunately, when a patient relapses, many foundations come up empty-handed for the child and family. We knew that when the time was right, we would create a non-profit for pediatric cancer patients, but specific to the needs of relapsed and terminal pediatric brain cancer patients and families. Shortly after Harlan’s passing, Harlan’s Heroes was conceived.
Q. What do you wish that more people knew about children’s cancer?
A. It does exist and it’s all around us – every one of us. Get out of your bubble and fight for OUR children. Pediatric cancer is different from adult cancers. There are 16 known major types of pediatric cancer and hundreds of subtypes. If OUR children are our future, then why are we not fighting harder to find cures for them?
Q. Why do you support CureSearch?
A. CureSearch was introduced to us as a family very early on in Harlan’s fight.
I believe that cures will only be discovered for pediatric cancers through private funding and research organizations such as CureSearch.
Q. What would you tell someone who may not think that their support of Harlan’s Heroes or CureSearch would make a difference?
A. There is no donation that is too small or too little to go unnoticed. Anything is something, and when it comes to pediatric cancer, anything is everything.
On a national level (NCI), pediatric cancer receives less than 4%. Pediatric cancers will never be cured at that rate – ever. Private funding and organizations like CureSearch are vital in creating and implementing treatment plans and protocols for pediatric cancer.
Harlan’s Heroes’ goal is to ease some of the burdens that only a select few know and understand that accompany relapse and terminal diagnosis, and to enable these pediatric heroes and their families by helping create lasting memories without the worry of daily living concerns. We cannot do this without the support and monetary donations of individuals and businesses.
Q. What advice would you give to caregivers of a child with cancer?
A. Always go with your gut. You are your child’s only true advocate. No one knows your child like you do and you should never back down from what you think or believe. This goes for every aspect from diagnosis and treatment to remission. Don’t be afraid to rock the boat and say “no” in order to push for other options. No one will have your child’s best interest at hand like you do.
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