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Kendall's reaction to riding the rollercoaster at Sports Plus
Kendall on the froghopper

We love Spongebob
Above are some of the photos from Easter 2006 at Sports Plus. This was one year before Kendall died. I don't know why I decided to do such a non-religious Easter day, but it was not long after his relapse and a rather nasty protocol, and I just felt he really needed to do something totally carefree and fun. Sports plus was a favorite haunt, even though it was always taking a HUGE risk to go there with a compromised immune system. But we were always lucky. He only got one fever/upper respiratory infection that I could trace to a trip there, and it was a mild one as those go. I was very good about washing his hands often which helps. This is the Easter I'd rather remember.













KENDALL'S PAGE
May 07, 2002-April 11, 2007



Kendall was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma, a very aggressive childhood cancer, just after his second birthday. He fought with all he had for amost three years, but unfortunately he sucummed to his disease on April 11, 2007, just a month shy of his fifth birthday. Kendall has a twin brother,Zachary, who misses his very much. We all do.








Our First Sunrise Fund 1K Fun Run! Zachary and I enjoyed this fundraiser in Kendall's honor on their birthday, 5/7/11. Zach did very well, and ran most of the time. I managed to more or less keep up. We are both very proud!



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Zachary trying on some of the fire rescue gear.

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SuperZack in his cape!

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Kids LOVE to try out those fire hoses!










SOME FACTS ABOUT PEDIATRIC CANCER:

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer in children.

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infancy.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra cranial solid tumor cancer in
children.

Every 16 hours a child with neuroblastoma dies.

There is no known cure for neuroblastoma.

Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed, have disease that has already metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. When disease has spread at diagnosis and a child is over the age of 2 there is less than a 30% chance of survival.

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in the US and it
kills more children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy,
asthma and AIDS combined.

There are 15 children diagnosed with cancer for every one child diagnosed
with pediatric AIDS. Yet, the U.S. invests approximately $595,000 for
research per victim of pediatric AIDS and only $20,000 for each victim of
childhood cancer.

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) federal budget was $4.6 billion. Of
that, breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%.



Kendall

When I was asked to speak today about Kendall, I was truly honored and humbled. I was also concerned that I could not put into words, this wonderful sweet boy who was a pleasure to know, to love and to teach.

How do you put into words�his smile. That smile with a sparkle in his eyes. Kendall always smiled no matter how he felt. A smile that reassured you, that it was OK. A smile that regardless of what was happening in his world made you smile. Not just a smile, that wry crooked smile that said, I know something that you don�t know- smile.

How do you put into words�a happy child with his father�s resolve and his mother�s inner strength, always a hop and a skip, always ready to laugh and looking for the punch line. And once laughing, leading his brother Zachary to follow close behind.

How do you put into words�Kendall�s desire to have fun. It was the ultimate goal. With the class songs, he was having so much fun that he had an extra beat. And you should have seen him do the chicken dance, he would take it to a whole different level.

How do you put into words�Kendall�s leadership and the things he and Zachary created together, like rolling down the hill after class with their classmates, outside The Morgan Center. On sunny days, this is how they ended every class with laughter and smiles. Kendall also had a lot to add to Show & Tell. He loved to share his toys, as well as souvenirs he got from his outings with Mommy, Daddy, Nonni and Poppy. Kendall and Zachary once had nothing for Show & Tell, so they sat in the front of the room and said, �Ask us where we�ve been�. Kendall also loved to ask questions of the other children which always included, �Where do you keep it?� & �Do you sleep with it?�. This was very cute, especially when Ashley brought her teenage sister for Show & Tell.

How do you put into words�A boy who adored his family. Sometimes Kendall would not be in the mood for arts and crafts. Then he would learn that it was for Mommy, or Daddy. He would then put all his effort into his project to make it just right. Kendall of course adored his brother, and even though Zachary was protective of Kendall, Kendall was always trying to protect Zachary.

How do you put into words� Watching a child go through his passions from Thomas the Tank, to Rescue Heroes, Power Rangers, Hot Wheels, Ninja Turtles, Webkins and eventually becoming the resident expert of Star Wars. Trust me, you could ask him anything.

How do you put into words �. the heaviness I now feel in my heart for a little boy who means so much to anyone who he has touched. But I assure you this beautiful little boy Kendall and his wonderful family will always be in my heart, and will always be a part of The Morgan Center.

Lastly, how do you put into words� what Kendall has taught us. To laugh when its painful, to smile even though you may not feel like smiling, to lead when it would be easier to follow, to protect those who are protecting you, and to love because love follows you everywhere.

Love,
Miss Nancy (& Mr. Rod)



I have NB HOPE bracelets and car magnets for anyone who wants one.
Order your NB HOPE Bracelet today.


Want to help? Give up your lunch for Neuroblastoma research. Together, we can find a cure. I've given up one lunch a month for the next year. Click on the fork ribbon below to donate.










Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation


Kendall's Photobucket site.



Journal

Saturday May 7, 2011 4:58 PM CDT

Happy Birthday in Heaven Kendall!

Today Zach and I ran/walked (hobbled) in our first Fun Run. This one was 1k (about .6 mile for my fellow Americans). It was early, 8:45 a.m., but Zach was up and ready to go. I will post some photos later of him climbing the trees at Stony Brook. The Sunrise Fund helps children with cancer being treated at Stony Brook, and funds a lot of great programs that make a huge difference in quality of life for children being treated there, including the Child Life center (play room).

We also celebrated our friend Connor's birthday, and Zach had a great time at his party. Zach decided he wanted a trip to Adventureland for his birthday, so we will be going shortly with a couple of his friends. I will update more soon!

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Hospital Information:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and
Stonybrook Hospital


Links:

http://www.themorgancenter.org   A nonprofit preschool for the immune supressed.
http://www.lunchforlife.org   Donate your lunch money to help fight neuroblastoma!
http://www.stbaldricks.org/locations_shavees.asp   St. Baldrick's Donations


 
 

E-mail Author: aimee1@optonline.net

 
 

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