Because some research threatens
risk, my personal view of research with young children as subjects is an area
that I oppose; however, in some cases it is desperately needed. For example,
the reality of Cancer in children, which is very disturbing to see them suffering
and fighting for their lives as they battle this disease. St. Jude for children
is an organization that is known Nationwide for supporting children and their
families. The organization conducts walks, runs, and celebrities sponsored events
in order to raise funds to support research in finding a cure with hopes of
saving the lives of countless children who suffer with Cancer.
Clinical Programs
Research
St. Jude Cure 4 Kids
Treatment Programs
Finding Her Voice
Breanna’s family knows
she loves two things best of all: cheerleading and singing. Although the
athletic 12-year-old has been cheering competitively since the age of 5, she
kept her singing private.
“She was always
singing at home but would chicken out when it came to entering talent shows,”
says her mom Dara. “She was just too embarrassed."
When Breanna was found
to suffer from acute myeloid leukemia in June 2013, there suddenly seemed to be
nothing to cheer about, and it looked like the song in her heart might have
been silenced.
From her
pediatrician’s office back home, Breanna was rushed to a local hospital. Her
local hospital then referred her to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital the
very same day, because St. Jude is the global leader in finding cures and
saving children from cancer and other deadly diseases.
It was, and still is,
a frightening time for her and her family. But, as Dara explained, they are
hopeful. “I don’t know if it’s the environment here, or the doctors, but I just
feel so positive,” she says.
Now, after sharing a
piano bench with long-time Target House volunteer and University of Memphis
quarterback Jacob Karam – a musically-inclined athlete just like Breanna – the young St.
Jude patient has become a viral video singing sensation.
The impromptu duet was
captured by Dara, who was both stunned and moved. Her little girl was singing
in public for the first time, and under the worst circumstances of her life.
“With everything she’s
going through … I was so proud,” says Dara.
One day shortly after,
Breanna and her mom came home to Target House and switched on the television to
catch the evening news. Breanna was shocked to see her own face on the screen.
The newly-minted viral video star jumped up and down with excitement.
“She loves it,
obviously!” says her mom. “And it’s keeping her mind off the medical stuff, so
that’s amazing too.”
Breanna may have
missed cheer camp this summer, but her video made CNN.
Although Breanna was
very ill when she arrived at St. Jude, she has been responding well to
treatment. She has had two rounds of chemotherapy and will soon undergo a bone
marrow transplant.
Having been selected
for the school cheerleading squad in her upcoming seventh-grade year, Breanna
hopes to be back on the field by basketball season.
In the meantime, her voice is soaring: At a
recent St. Jude karaoke event, Breanna brought down the house.
Darlene, Such a moving post! Thanks for sharing it and I understand that some research is necessary in order to find cures but I feel, at what cost? Some of these children have already gone through enough with their debilitating illnesses and to put them through more sticking and prodding is just inhumane. I can't why any parent would put their child through more pain. I have a bleeding heart for children with illnesses and I pray every day, that God will intercede for them when some decisions are being made about treatments for them.
ReplyDeleteThis a very touching post. Research is definitely beneficial if it going to benefit the good of all people. As long as the research is not causing extra harm or pain to the patient, then I think it should be done. Taking an extra tube of blood in my eyes is okay. I have done that myself and it did not cause any harm. Research that is done without giving the patient the true side effects and the rationale for it is totally wrong. Parents need to think twice when it comes to testing new medications on children or procedures that will cause horrible side effects. All for research that is harmless to any person.
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