Three year old Aiden Kramer is bursting with energy. "I play the drums and the guitar and the piano."
Less than a year ago, he was in a hospital battling leukemia which is the most common cancer in children. "That's the worst thing you can possibly think of. I have zero control of this and I could very well lose my child – period," says Aiden’s Mother, Ashley.
She is comforted by newly released statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new government study says the chances of surviving childhood cancer are improving. From 1999 to 2014, there was a 20-percent drop in cancer deaths among children and adolescents. "It's a very exciting step forward in the war on childhood cancers. It means we are, in fact, making continued progress,” says Dr. Alan Wayne with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The study also found that leukemia is no longer the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adolescents. Three out of 10 cancer deaths are now from brain cancer. He adds, "The progress has lagged behind in brain tumors. We have to redouble our efforts to really improve the outcome for those children."
After five months of chemotherapy, Aiden is now cancer free and giving back to other patients. "I help the other kids at the hospital.”
His chances of relapse are high so he has regular check-ups. "You look at Aiden and people say you would've never known he was sick and I'm grateful for that every day,” shares his mom. Aiden’s family now makes the most of every day.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To honor all the children and families affected by cancer, Carson High School will host “CHS Goes Gold for the Cure” on Friday, September 16th at 7 p.m. During Carson’s home football game with McQueen High School, fans are encouraged to buy and wear a “CHS Goes Gold” shirt to help support those battling and the families of those who have lost the battle with childhood cancer. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Shirts are $15.00. For more information, contact the Senators Boosters: http://www.senatorsfootball.org/
If you are unable to attend the game and would like to make a donation, checks can be sent to: CHS Senators Football Boosters, P.O. Box 1362, Carson City, NV 89702 or you can drop off at Bret Andreas State Farm Agency, 810 N. Nevada Street, Carson City, NV 89703.
