Hope, Strength, and Healing for families coping with a child cancer diagnosis

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Santiago

Sweet Santiago is a 2-year-old who loves being outside and playing.

Santiago was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor about 8 months ago. Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it is the most common cancer of the kidneys in children. This diagnosis did not stop Santiago from being resilient!

As shared by Santiago’s Mother:

“Santi was a healthy, happy, adventurous, and strong baby. He loved outside time with his friends and had an active social life with his little playground buddies. Santi used to go to playgrounds every day and adventurous places like Kidtopia and Fairyland. On Friday July 8th we came back from a little family vacation at Universal Studios and on Monday July 11, Santi began experiencing some abnormal symptoms.

So, we called the hospital and his pediatrician, and she asked me to take him in. They ordered several blood tests and an ultrasound. Some of the blood test results came back a little high but nothing to be concerned about, however on July 13th we took him to do the ultrasound and they discovered the tumor. We started the process of talking to all doctors about the procedures and treatments. They did the surgery, and we started the chemotherapy and radiation treatment right away. That is when the social worker introduced us to Keaton’s, and it has been a blessing ever since.

The only thing you want to focus on in moments like these is your child. Keaton’s supported us from the very beginning so we could focus on Santi. We are truly blessed to be introduced to Keaton’s and incredibly grateful for all the help. Keaton’s sent us financial support that we used to pay one of our bills and Santiago received a Hope Chest with toys and a blanket with his name on it. We are glad that this organization exists for people like us going through these hard moments.

Santi had his last Chemo on January 31st and is now waiting for his CT scan and surgery. God has never left us alone and we are going through the process with faith and the conviction that Santi will keep being the healthy, happy, adventurous and strong boy he has been. God kept him strong and happy during his treatment and we are very grateful and feel very blessed. Harder moments have taught us to value all what we have and live in a way that we offer hope and support to others. Thank you, Keaton’s, for all your support. Our family will always be grateful to you.”

Keaton’s is so happy and honored to have been able to be part of Santiago’s journey when he and his family most needed our support. We will continue to be part of their journey and look forward to his milestones!

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – MJ

May of 2021 started like any other month. Our family was enjoying the warm weather and spending time with friends and family. Unfortunately, May was the month that our world would change in a way we never expected.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Yazmine

During the week of July 17th, 2023, Yazmine hadn’t been herself.  She’d been running fevers on and off and wasn’t eating.  She had no energy and only wanted to sleep.  Then, on July 19th, her dad’s birthday, we decided that I would take her to the ER for a quick check up and be back in time to make a birthday dinner.  Little did we know everything would change on that day.  

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Kodiak

In the Fall of 2023, Keaton’s Kiddo Kodiak was diagnosed with two rare and aggressive forms of cancer: Mixed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) also known as ‘preleukemia.’

Their journey began one year earlier, in the Fall of 2022, when Kodiak was struck with a series of different seasonal illnesses. Kodiak’s mom Tonya shares: “In September, he got COVID, and then in November it was the flu, and then December RSV.”

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