The holiday season allows opportunities to grow compassion toward neighbors and friends. Taking action doesn’t have to be grandiose. The simple kindnesses of donating a phone charger, a fresh pack of crayons, fidget spinners or tasty snacks could provide just the right kind of encouragement to fellow humans going through tough times.
Brentwood Lifestyle celebrates Chase Hartung, Rowan Eby and Kat Edwards, three cancer warriors who are making a difference in their community by undertaking the challenge to make hospital stays easier for other kids who are dealing with cancer.
In honor of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Chase, Rowan, Kat and their families hosted a carnival-themed toy and snack donation drive in their Brentwood neighborhood. Donations benefitted the Hematology & Oncology Department at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The effort is ongoing, and Lifestyle readers can contribute by going online to the Hem/Onc and Infusion Wish List link included toward the conclusion of this article.
Even as they walk through their life-altering experiences, Chase, Rowan and Kat have chosen to reach out and help others. To honor them, we are spotlighting their journeys.
CHASE HARTUNG
Chase Hartung, an eighth grader at Sunset Middle School, is undergoing treatment for relapsed Ewing’s Sarcoma. His mother, Cindy Hartung, shared the following with Brentwood Lifestyle:
“In the fall of 2021, Chase started to experience some leg pain while playing football for Brentwood Blaze. We thought it was a pulled hamstring, and with a little rest, the pain seemed to dissipate. As football season ended and Thanksgiving came, the pain came back with an intensity that could not be ignored. After a few doctor visits and an ultimate referral to Monroe Carell, Chase was diagnosed with stage 4 or Metastatic Ewings Sarcoma. Chase underwent nine months of intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment and achieved remission," Cindy shared.
She added, "This past June, routine scans showed that Chase had relapsed. Chase is currently undergoing treatment at Monroe Carell. It is hard for me to put into words what Monroe Carell means to me. To say it means everything would be an understatement. Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is a second home to our family."
Cindy said they feel incredibly lucky to be so close to one of the best cancer hospitals in the nation. "We have met many families who have traveled hours or had to relocate to get treatment at Vanderbilt. The oncology staff makes the hospital extra special. When we arrive at the 6th floor, we are always greeted with smiles and hugs and are filled with a sense of hope, comfort and healing."
Chase’s oncologist, Dr. Borinstein, saved our son’s life, she continued. "We are forever grateful for his knowledge, expertise, guidance and compassion. Dr. B and the staff will always be our heroes! Childhood Cancer Research is severely underfunded. Only 4% of the Federal Cancer Research Budget is dedicated to childhood cancers. My understanding is this is because childhood cancers are rarer than adulthood cancers, making it very important to donate to private, reputable pediatric cancer research foundations.”
Find updates about Chase at: CaringBridge.org/Visit/ChaseHartung
ROWAN EBY
Rowan Eby is a kindergartner at Battle Ground Academy and is undergoing treatment for Leukemia. His mom, Sara Eby, wrote about the family's experiences:
“Our journey with childhood cancer is devastating and sad and unfair. I would love to say something positive, but there is nothing positive about childhood cancer. It isn’t fair to the child, the siblings or the parents. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and a lot of sadness," shares Sara.
"Kids are resilient, and Rowan is a fighter and so brave, and so amazing. He amazes me daily. He is usually found with a smile as long as he feels good. The children’s ward has been nothing but kind, and I count on them as my rock. I believe they are the best and are working to make my Rowan healthy again. They are always kind and have answers or will get answers," she adds.
"When we had to stay overnight for 10 nights in May 2022, the doctors, nurses, life specialists and care team were there with so much patience and kindness. I am grateful. I still walk on eggshells until we ring that bell, but I’m not sure a parent ever really breathes without worry after having a child with cancer. Will it come back? Will he be OK? Did I do something to cause this? Will my other sons get it? Why did he?" Sara poses.
"The best way readers can help is to donate to childhood cancer research, donate toys and snacks to the hospital, 6th-floor oncology, and read the pages of CaringBridge. It‘s a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event. It’s posted so we don’t have to repeat ourselves constantly; it’s hard,” she stated.
Updates about Rowan can be found at: CaringBridge.org/Visit/RowanEby
KAT EDWARDS
Kat Edwards is a senior at Ravenwood High School, and is a brain tumor survivor. Her mother, Liz Edwards, recounts her daughter’s journey:
“Kat has had seven brain surgeries with her surgeon, Dr. Michael Dewan. She is a brain tumor survivor! Dr. Dewan is researching brain tumors and training neurosurgeons around the world [VUMC‘s Global Neurosurgery Program]. This research will specifically benefit Kat, as she has a rare type of brain tumor," says Liz.
"Most of Kat's medical journey has been dealing with severe side effects of treatment. On Oct. 8, 2020, she suffered catastrophic brain swelling due to proton radiation treatment and ended up in a coma for several days. Dr. Dewan and his team performed life-saving surgery, and she's made a miraculous recovery. Dr. Dewan's research through the Vanderbilt Global Neurosurgery Program will ultimately help us find better treatment protocols for kids like Kat. We are so grateful to all the providers and their teams at Monroe Carell for their mission to give our children the best quality of life while they are in the fight of their lives,” Liz concludes.
More information about Kat and Dr. Dewan can be found at: Give.VanderbiltHealth.org/campaign/global-neurosurgery-and-brain-tumor-research-program/c420027
Thanks to the Hartung, Ebay and Edwards families for sharing their stories and for offering readers guidance on how to support kids with cancer.
"Childhood cancer is a force to be reckoned with," says Cindy Hartung, "and awareness for it should be talked about out in the open and advertised. Adequate funding is needed for research and cures."
With the widespread problem of underfunded research for childhood cancers, the following links lead to reputable organizations that offer more detailed specifics. To donate or to learn more about childhood cancer, readers can visit:
Hem/Onc & Infusion Clinic Wish List on Amazon: Amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/PVCVTUXM884N?ref_=wl_share
Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center: Give.VanderbiltHealth.org/give/199030#!/donation/checkout
Make A Wish: Wish.org
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: NationalPCFcf.org/facts-about-childhood-cancer/
St. Jude: StJude.org/treatment/pediatric-oncology/childhood-cancer-facts.html
Alex’s Lemonade: AlexsLemonade.org/childhood-cancer/about-childhood-cancer
Donation Ideas:
Kat: “Toys and snacks help the time go by. Anything tactile helps keep me calm."
Rowan: “Playing with Legos and drawing helps distract me. I love to cuddle stuffed animals.”
Chase: “I like to build Lego and play video games. I have medicine that tastes bad. I like to have a lollipop to cancel out the bad taste.”