Leukemia and Leprosy #AtoZChallenge2021

Boston Children's Hospital

The protagonist in my mystery series is an insurance investigator. Plots or subplots in the novels deal with several different illnesses or diseases, although none of the unusual or obscure conditions begin with the letter "L", such as sickle cell disease, gas gangrene, the thalidomide tragedy, and gene disorder. But subplots in the first and sixth novels focus on leukemia and leprosy.

My research of leukemia began when I worked in the cancer ward of a hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at a time when a diagnosis didn't often include a cure. Eventually, after taking up writing, I familiarized myself with Boston Children's Hospital and the Jimmy Fund in Boston where hope of successful survival from childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer reigns eternal.

Leprosy in the Hawaiian Islands, now known as Hansen's Disease, is a well-researched story of devastation and hopelessness. Its role in my sixth novel was not of an illness, however, but an example of how happiness ultimately comes to those who choose to be happy. Living conditions in the leper colony at Kalaupapa on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai in the 1800s was primitive; afflicted persons of all ages were shipped there from the other islands and left to fend for themselves until their death. For an in depth and enlightening story about this time in history, check out the best selling historical novel entitled Moloka'i by author Alan Brennert.

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Childhood Leukemia - September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

photo from: fineartamerica.com

After a long dreary winter, one of the first flowers to spring from the ground is the daffodil. Representative of new life, the daffodil is the American Cancer Society flower. When someone has survived the disease, sending flowers is a wonderful way to say "Congratulations!" The more colorful the better! You can read more about gifting flowers to cancer survivors at this florist's site:  http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flowers-for-a-cancer-survivor/ But if you have flowers in your garden or in the back field, a personal bouquet will have special meaning! 

September is Children's Cancer Awareness Month. Because I wanted to include varied names of organizations and foundations that support research and treatment of cancer, I searched the internet for a list. Most unfortunate is that the list is extremely long: unfortunate because it represents a tragic need for this support around the world.

 

Reading about the services provided, the support to family and patients, and the success in the rate of cures or remissions, tugs at the heart strings. Watching the videos brings home some of the emotional costs not included in the statistical figures. A warm note is hearing the children state with emphases: "I beat cancer."

The following sites offer important information about childhood cancer, research, treatment, experiences, and heartwarming success stories.

 

 

The Jimmy Fund
solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world.

You will find the history of the Jimmy Fund at this site:

http://www.jimmyfund.org/about-us/about-the-jimmy-fund/

 

American Childhood Cancer Organization
Help make a difference in the lives of the nation’s
childhood cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
You can learn how by clicking on this link:
http://www.acco.org/childhood-cancer-awareness-month/

St. Baldrick's Foundation
St. Baldrick’s Foundation exists to change the realities of Childhood Cancer
They work closely with leading pediatric oncologists to determine the most promising
research "to fund and create funding priorities to make the greatest impact . . ."
Read the sad facts of these realities and more here:  http://www.stbaldricks.org/


Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation
Serving the Needs of Hawaii's Families Coping With Cancer
Serving to assist, support and advocate for the needs of children diagnosed with cancer, their families, and long-term survivors of childhood cancer: http://hccf.org/

https://www.youtube.com/embed/w3mF54ucXZc

(if this video link is unavailable, you can view it at http://hccf.org)

 

"I don't think it's fair that anyone has cancer." Child with cancer

"Helpless." Mother of child diagnosed with cancer

"Released from job, foreclosed on house." Parents of child with cancer

"She's on the swim team." Smiling Father of child whose cancer is in remission