Meet Jackson
On November 24, 2020, just two days before Thanksgiving and right before his third birthday, our son Jackson was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic neuroblastoma. In a moment, our world collapsed. Those four words, “your child has cancer” are the most devastating a parent can hear. Living in the New York area, we immediately turned to Memorial Sloan Kettering, home to one of the best pediatric neuroblastoma programs in the world. And that’s where our war began.
Jackson’s treatment was long and brutal: five rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, a 13-hour surgery, five rounds of immunotherapy, and two weeks of abdominal radiation. Just when we thought we were through the worst, he relapsed. We started over, this time with a clinical trial combining chemo and immunotherapy, funded in part by Band of Parents. After five grueling rounds, we found ourselves finally, cautiously, hopeful again. But then, another setback. Jackson developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a precursor to leukemia caused by the very treatments that had helped save him. The only cure was a stem cell transplant. On May 4, 2022, Jackson received that gift—a stem cell transplant from a 24-year-old Israeli named Yuval, who traveled during the height of COVID, isolating for three weeks with his twin brother, Matan, also a match. These strangers stepped up with breathtaking selflessness. They saved our son’s life.
In January 2023, Jackson received his first dose of the Neuroblastoma Vaccine, another amazing treatment funded by the Band of Parents to prevent relapse. Getting to this point was a huge milestone and something we celebrated.
Today, Jackson is thriving in second grade. He has made great friends, developed a passion for golf, Pokémon, Mr. Beast and all the things kids get to enjoy. You’d never guess what he’s been through just by looking at him. He is here and full of joy, because of the incredible care we received and because of the groundbreaking research and trials that donors like you make possible through Band of Parents.
As we mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we ask you to join us in giving back. Your support fuels the research that saves kids like Jackson. It gives families hope when they need it most. If you’ve already made a gift, thank you. If you haven’t yet, there’s no better time. Help us fund the next treatment. The next trial. The next miracle.
With endless gratitude and hope,
Mike, Whitney, Jackson and Maddie
P.S. Jackson's journey is proof that your donations don’t just fund science, they save lives. Make an immediate impact today.
