Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Pedro

Strong and optimistic Pedro has a heart for soccer and music, and he absolutely loves Chick-Fil-A!

“It was 10:00 am on August 20th, 2021. Up until that time, I lived a life that most people would call normal. I was an athlete with good grades getting ready for my freshman year of high school. I had just moved from Seattle to Sacramento, chasing the sun with my lovely family. Everything seemed perfect.

However, all it took was one weird day at school for my life to turn upside down. While playing some casual badminton in gym class, I suddenly noticed I wasn’t able to see things like I used to. Long story short, the next day I was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was sitting right on top of my optic nerve. Lying in that uncomfortable bed in the ER, I could barely process what was going on. I kept hearing complicated words from different doctors while my parents were both concerned. Honestly, the seriousness of the situation never really got to me. My mom constantly said I was “strong, optimistic and calm” during the first couple months.

Then again, I felt like I hit a new low. Despite my effort to keep myself together, my first chemotherapy session hit me harder than ever. Reality had set in. That’s when the Keaton’s team helped me to keep pushing. One day I received a gift basket at my doorstep with personalized goodies for my little brother and I. The hope chest was the first of many times that Keaton’s has supported me throughout my journey. My family got various invitations to fun events that were held specifically for me and other kids fighting child cancer. Because of Keaton’s, I never felt alone. Their support meant the world to me and my family, and I don’t know how well I would have coped without Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.

Today, after 2 years of chemotherapy and multiple brain surgeries, I am a new person. I am driven to do better, and help kids going through the same hardship. I know it’s ironic, but surviving this treatment has truly helped me. Experiencing cancer first hand brought a new world view into perspective, and has motivated me to spread awareness to others. Many people don’t know what it is like for a kid to lose part of their childhood because of something they cannot control, and I hope my story helps people understand what it means to suffer from child cancer.”

At almost 16 years old, Pedro now gets to celebrate the remission stage of his cancer journey! His compassion and heart only continues to grow. Pedro recently reached out to join our Keaton’s Teen Alliance group and hopes to mentor other kiddos who are battling childhood cancer and provide them with a sense of encouragement. No kid should ever have to fight alone and we are eternally grateful for our amazing kiddos, like Pedro, who show so much love and support for others within our Keaton’s family.

The Unsung Heroes

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is impacted. In this journey, siblings often become the unsung heroes—quietly showing strength, compassion, and resilience beyond their years.

While the focus is understandably on the child battling cancer, siblings face their own emotional challenges. They may experience feelings of worry, fear, confusion, or even guilt, and it’s important to acknowledge their role and provide support for them as well.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Stryder

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Stryder, a fun-loving 5-year-old who enjoys animals and race cars! At just two years old, Stryder was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, and spreads to distant parts of the body. When Stryder was diagnosed, he was just three months away from celebrating his 3rd Birthday. A time that was supposed to be exciting and celebratory turned into a moment of heartbreak, and what began as an ordinary childhood took a dramatic and heart-wrenching turn, turning his and his family’s world upside down. Despite the weight of his diagnosis and all that’s come with it, Stryder’s spirit has been nothing short of extraordinary.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Peyton

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Peyton, a resilient and joyful little girl whose life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at just 3 years old. When Peyton’s mom, Dianna, noticed unusual symptoms like persistent low-grade fevers, pale skin, and unexplained bruises, she followed her instincts and pushed for further tests. This led to the heartbreaking leukemia diagnosis, but Peyton and Dianna quickly found solace in the network of support provided by Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.

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