BANDofPARENTS bound by hope
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| The Children who have so bravely fought and lost their battle against neuroblastoma are the true inspiration for the Band of Parents. It is in their memory and honor that we continue to fight for better treatments and a cure. No family should have to bare the pain of losing their beloved child. For the Band of Parents this is a reality that is all too common. The children pictured below are a small representation of the children whose innocence, dreams, and vibrant lives, neuroblastoma was successful in robbing from us all. Young vibrant children whose full potential will never be fully realized. The pain and loss their families feel can never be truly measured. |
| Austin Melgar January 26, 2001 - April 24th, 2008 |
Austin Melgar was an energetic and loving boy who lived
life to the fullest in the short time he was given. Austin was
a light of joy to his family and an inspiration to friends,
neighbors, teachers, fellow students, and even strangers.
He was mature beyond his years, displaying an
understanding of God that adults can only marvel at, yet he
still loved to steal your nose and pour cold water on your
feet in the shower. Tearing up the soccer field, splashing in
the family pool, and hanging out with his cousins were all
activities Austin was passionate about. The world will be a
much sadder place without Austin and he will be deeply
missed by his parents, his brother and three sisters, and
all those whose lives have been touched by Austin's
bravery and spirit. The heavens gain an angel and a family
loses yet another innocent, adoring, and beautiful child to a
cancer that shows no honor or mercy. Please pray for the
Melgar family during their time of unimaginable sorrow.
life to the fullest in the short time he was given. Austin was
a light of joy to his family and an inspiration to friends,
neighbors, teachers, fellow students, and even strangers.
He was mature beyond his years, displaying an
understanding of God that adults can only marvel at, yet he
still loved to steal your nose and pour cold water on your
feet in the shower. Tearing up the soccer field, splashing in
the family pool, and hanging out with his cousins were all
activities Austin was passionate about. The world will be a
much sadder place without Austin and he will be deeply
missed by his parents, his brother and three sisters, and
all those whose lives have been touched by Austin's
bravery and spirit. The heavens gain an angel and a family
loses yet another innocent, adoring, and beautiful child to a
cancer that shows no honor or mercy. Please pray for the
Melgar family during their time of unimaginable sorrow.
Diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just 2 years of age,
Courtney Saunders fought the disease with courage, faith
and grace, never questioning why she had to endure so
many difficult treatments and suffer so many
disappointments as the disease robbed her of the chance
to just be a kid. Courtney loved Hannah Montana, Disney
and her family, especially her devoted sister Halie. She
was a true child of God who showed all who knew her how
to be humble, loving, accepting and trusting. Although
Courtney became an angel just 8 days before her 7th
birthday, her spirit lives on through the many people whose
lives she touched. Please keep Courtney’s family—her
father Paul, mom Sherry and big sister Halie—in your
thoughts and prayers as they carry on with their sister and
daughter in their hearts, rather than in their arms.
Courtney Saunders fought the disease with courage, faith
and grace, never questioning why she had to endure so
many difficult treatments and suffer so many
disappointments as the disease robbed her of the chance
to just be a kid. Courtney loved Hannah Montana, Disney
and her family, especially her devoted sister Halie. She
was a true child of God who showed all who knew her how
to be humble, loving, accepting and trusting. Although
Courtney became an angel just 8 days before her 7th
birthday, her spirit lives on through the many people whose
lives she touched. Please keep Courtney’s family—her
father Paul, mom Sherry and big sister Halie—in your
thoughts and prayers as they carry on with their sister and
daughter in their hearts, rather than in their arms.
| Courtney Marie Saunders May 12, 2001 - May 4, 2008 |
| Emily Ruth Adamson July 11, 2000 - May 12, 2008 |
| Beloved daughter of David and Diane, Emily Adamson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just two months after her third birthday and received her initial treatment at hospitals near her Florida home. When she was randomized off the COG antibody trial, David and Diane brought Emily to Sloan-Kettering, determined to provide their daughter with every available weapon to fight neuroblastoma. Through three relapses, Emily fought courageously, with a smile that was contagious and a unique way of expressing herself that melted hearts wherever she went. She adored her twin sister MaryGrace, and both girls loved being twins, dressing in matching outfits whenever given the opportunity. Please keep the Adamson family in your prayers—especially MaryGrace—as a Mother, Father and twin sister try to carry on with the grace and strength that characterized their young heroine. |
| Lucas Thai Tran Nov. 07, 2003 - Sept. 16, 2007 |
| Beloved son and brother, Lucas Tran was full of life and never let neuroblastoma weaken his spirit and zest for anything and everything purple. Lucas had an infectious smile and made the best of each and everyday. His passion for scotch tape, mechanical objects, and anything that contained intricate moving parts was sure to lead him with to several patents and an engineering degree or two. Lucas taught those who had the pleasure of meeting him that life is what you make of it and that there is nothing that a smile, a hug, and a kiss cannot fix. Please pray for the Tran family as they adjust to a world less colorful. Each time you see something purple just whisper a little prayer for our dear Lucas and be sure to tell him how very much he is missed. |
| An only child, Eden Brunskow was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at six years of age. Along the way on her three year cancer journey she grew from a young child to a wise, witty, and loving young lady with a lot to say. Eden made up amazing stories, repeating them in her wonderful voice that was instantly recognizable and a joy to listen to. She respected all of God's creatures and would not harm even an insect--Eden could quickly catch and release a butterfly without ever harming it. Eden had a strong character and could be stubborn, but people always knew exactly what was on her mind. Her strong character was complimented by a sense of humor that could make all around her laugh. And above all, Eden was kind--she consistently complimented the people around her, especially the nurses, doctors, and hospital staff. She was often heard telling someone that they looked young, or beautiful or were unique. Eden's fight against neuroblastoma was filled with complications, yet she never complained. Please keep her parents Paul and Nina in your prayers and they continue without their beautiful angel. |
Brent Nason was a very active 8 year old when a complaint of
back pain first hinted that something was amiss. Just days
before his 9th birthday Brent was diagnosed with
neuroblastoma. Baptized on Easter Sunday when he was 8
years old, Brent was a child of God who loved his family and
enjoyed roughhousing with his brothers, riding 4 wheelers
and go carts with them, going to church, participating in
mission trips, playing football and games on his PS2, hunting,
fishing, and sharing hugs with all of his family.
Brent went HOME to be with his JESUS on January 2, 2007.
Though he is greatly missed by his family, they are at peace
knowing they will see him again one day.
back pain first hinted that something was amiss. Just days
before his 9th birthday Brent was diagnosed with
neuroblastoma. Baptized on Easter Sunday when he was 8
years old, Brent was a child of God who loved his family and
enjoyed roughhousing with his brothers, riding 4 wheelers
and go carts with them, going to church, participating in
mission trips, playing football and games on his PS2, hunting,
fishing, and sharing hugs with all of his family.
Brent went HOME to be with his JESUS on January 2, 2007.
Though he is greatly missed by his family, they are at peace
knowing they will see him again one day.
| Eden Brunskow August 6, 1998 - February 18, 2008 |
| Lincoln Brent Nason October 28, 1995 - January 2, 2007 |
| Carter Reese Deckert Moore February 12, 2003 - February 5, 2008 |
A winter child who warmed his family's days with sunshine
and love, Carter Reese Deckert Moore was diagnosed with
Stage 4 Neuroblastoma just 4 months after his 4th
birthday. Carter had a certain "charm" about him that
attracted everyone! He loved animals, especially big dogs,
excelled at all sports, and thrived on action and the thrill of
sports cars, specifically Corvettes and Mustangs. Carter
admired superheroes and although Spiderman was his
favorite, "Carterman" was his family's hero, displaying an
inner strength and wisdom far surpassing his years.
Throughout his 7 ½ month battle against neuroblastoma,
Carter remained fearless and full of hope. He loved New
York City , even though it was the scene of his most
intense medical treatments. Carter became an Angel on
Feb. 5, 2008, just one week shy of his 5th birthday, but to
his family he was an angel from birth, touching their lives
and bringing many gifts. Though his bright light is gone
from this world, his legacy of love and courage shine on
through his loving parents, Holly & John, big sister
Kiersten, canine brother Cane, grandparents, a
great-grandmother, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,
and thousands of devoted and loyal fans who carry on the
"CarterManCan" message forever.
and love, Carter Reese Deckert Moore was diagnosed with
Stage 4 Neuroblastoma just 4 months after his 4th
birthday. Carter had a certain "charm" about him that
attracted everyone! He loved animals, especially big dogs,
excelled at all sports, and thrived on action and the thrill of
sports cars, specifically Corvettes and Mustangs. Carter
admired superheroes and although Spiderman was his
favorite, "Carterman" was his family's hero, displaying an
inner strength and wisdom far surpassing his years.
Throughout his 7 ½ month battle against neuroblastoma,
Carter remained fearless and full of hope. He loved New
York City , even though it was the scene of his most
intense medical treatments. Carter became an Angel on
Feb. 5, 2008, just one week shy of his 5th birthday, but to
his family he was an angel from birth, touching their lives
and bringing many gifts. Though his bright light is gone
from this world, his legacy of love and courage shine on
through his loving parents, Holly & John, big sister
Kiersten, canine brother Cane, grandparents, a
great-grandmother, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,
and thousands of devoted and loyal fans who carry on the
"CarterManCan" message forever.
| Marissa Monroe July 10, 2005 - June 13, 2008 |
| Born a beautiful, happy, healthy baby on July 10, 2005 Marissa would light up any room she walked into with her beaming smile, contagious laughter and what one close friend described as her "cartoon" voice. Always full of energy, Marissa ran almost everywhere. She loved purple and purses and was obsessed with "tiny" things...anything small. Better yet...tiny, purple purses that she could fit her tiny things into! Marissa became one of God's Angels on Friday, June 13, 2008. In her short 2 yrs, 11 mos and 27 days she touched more lives and taught those who knew her more about life than many people will learn in a long lifetime. Please pray for her parents, Randy and Tracy, and her wonderful big sister, Makenzie, who love and miss Marissa so much..words can't begin to describe the emptiness they feel without her. Though grateful that Marissa has been healed, they hoped and prayed so hard for her healing here on Earth. |
| Ishan Gala, adored son of Mayank and Sejal Gala, was a completely healthy child enjoying his childhood. In December of 2007, as the family concluded a trip to India to visit relatives, Ishan began to run a low-grade fever. The fever persisted for a month while Mayank and Sejal made many frantic trips to the pediatrician trying to find out what was wrong with their little boy. On January 30th, 2008 a CT scan confirmed a mass above Ishan’s right kidney. Soon afterward, he was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. For the next eight months, Ishan and his family were in and out of the hospital. He underwent two major surgeries and seven chemotherapy cycles, but nothing could stop the relentless neuroblastoma that invaded his small body. When the doctors concluded there were no more treatments that could help Ishan, his parents brought him home to Virginia. He became an Angel just three days later, on September 6, 2008. Ishan loved taking rides in the car and playing with his ball in the backyard. He brought so much joy and love to his family, life without him is unimaginable. Mayank and Sejal believe a cure for neuroblastoma can be found and have vowed to continue the fight in honor of their beloved Angel Ishan. |
| Ishan Gala August 28, 2006 - Sept. 6, 2008 |