St. Baldrick's Foundation Announces 2012 Ambassador Kids

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
626-792-8247 ext. 50
Traci@StBaldricks.org

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces 2012 Ambassador Kids

Kids and families help to raise awareness of need for childhood cancer research

LOS ANGELES (November 30, 2011) – It takes five inspirational kids to help Conquer Kids’ Cancer! The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, proudly announces its five 2012 Ambassador Kids. The Ambassador Kids represent the thousands of kids worldwide touched by childhood cancer each year and will serve as the faces and voices of the Foundation.

Coming from all areas of the country, ages, disease types and treatment statuses, they are a reminder that childhood cancer doesn’t discriminate and that one in five kids diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. Beginning in January, the kids and their families will attend St. Baldrick’s signature head-shaving events, special ceremonies and other activities where they will talk with media, volunteers, shavees, donors and researchers.

Austin Gallagher, 5, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was diagnosed with cancer in both kidneys at just 10 months old. He endured months of chemotherapy and four abdominal surgeries, while his doctors worked to rid his body of cancer and preserve some kidney function. Throughout his treatment Austin’s laughter, grace and resilience led his parents and big brother Braedan through an otherwise unbearable ordeal. After eight months of treatment, Austin was declared cancer free, until the following winter when scans revealed Austin’s cancer had returned. Facing this fight for the second time, Austin charged through with the same determination he had shown as a toddler. After six more months of treatment and the removal of one-and-a-half kidneys, he is once again cancer free.

Emily Pena, 7, from Houston, Texas, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2010 following a persistent limp and unexplained fever. For the last year and a half, Emily’s life has been full of multiple rounds of chemotherapy, spinal taps, five hospital stays and countless trips to the ER and clinic. Her treatment should be completed in June 2012 – good news for this busy little girl who enjoys watching “Hannah Montana,” reading Junie B. Jones books and gardening. Throughout her battle with cancer Emily has kept her positive attitude and now dreams of being a doctor so she can help save lives. Until then, she prays each night for a cure for kids’ cancer.

Justin Miller, 8, from Aurora, Colo., was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Doctors gave Justin a 30 percent chance of being alive in five years. They said if he relapsed, he wouldn’t survive. But Justin has defied the odds! Treatment and surgery took the sight from his left eye, but not his spirit. He has faced three relapses and continues to fight each day. Justin’s bravery and spirit have pulled him through each challenge, and when confronted with his third relapse, Justin said, “I would do anything to make the cancer get out of my body. I will never be too tired to stop fighting – let’s go do this thing.” He doesn’t let cancer stand in the way of his favorite things: Cub Scouts, macaroni and cheese, and his dogs, Ralphie and Chipper.

Teddy Gerber from Fairfield, Conn., is forever 9 years old. A note written by Teddy at age 8 said that he dreamed of becoming a scientist who would cure cancer and mosquito bites. A month later, he was diagnosed with an undifferentiated sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in his chest. He endured seven rounds of chemotherapy, two life-threatening operations and seven weeks of radiation, but even then, new tumors were discovered. Teddy did not die from a lack of care, effort, or resources, but from a lack of detailed knowledge about his specific type of cancer. Teddy’s family will forever remember him as a smart, funny and sometimes stubborn little boy. They are committed to helping researchers discover better treatments and cures, just as Teddy would have wanted.

Sarah Swaim, 22, from Virginia Beach, Va., was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia at the age of 14 and endured 20 months of chemotherapy. In 2008, she celebrated five years in remission, but a checkup in June 2010 revealed that her leukemia had returned. Sarah’s only hope for a cure was a stem cell transplant, and she is currently fighting complications from the adjustment of her new immune system to her body. Sarah is a junior at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., majoring in early childhood development, and is a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. As a two-time St. Baldrick’s shavee, she was the top fundraiser at the Norfolk, Va., event in 2010 raising nearly $12,000. Sarah is anxious to get healthy and continue pursuing her dreams of making a difference in the lives of others.

This year alone, the Foundation has funded more than $21 million in grants, made possible by more than 1,000 events, shaving more than 45,000 heads.

Everyone can do their part to support St. Baldrick’s! To locate or organize an event in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. You can also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, join our letsCONQUER movement and visit the Foundation’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $78 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.