Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Ten years ago, normal life as we knew it came to a halt. Danny was a perfectly healthy 9-year-old with no apparent physical problems. He enjoyed Little League baseball and was living life to the fullest. He came home one day from a ball game and had pain so bad he couldn’t get up. His doctor advised us to take him to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for an MRI.

While we waited for results of his scan, the hands on the waiting room clock seemed to crawl. We were surrounded by very concerned faces. The doctors finally appeared and informed us that Danny had a very large tumor within his spine. It was gravely serious and he needed surgery to remove the tumor. Danny’s surgeon was able to remove 95% of the tumor, but he had to spend many months learning how to walk again.

But, the worst was not over. The pathology report of the tumor indicated that he had an astro-cytoma spinal cord tumor. Danny had cancer. Danny has nicknamed his cancer “the beast”. After his first fight enduring both chemo and full cranial and spinal radiation, “the beast” as he calls it returned two more times over the last ten years. The last time, it appeared in his head as a small but dangerous brain tumor. Despite losing most of his sight and balance along this journey, he smiles every day.

Danny has taught us what is really important in life. With his positive attitude he enjoys helping others. Now nineteen, he works a couple days a week at his elementary school and loves to speak out on behalf of Alex’s Lemonade. He met Alex Scott while being treated at CHOP and at a very young age was inspired by her willingness to help other children like themselves. He has said his reason for being left behind is to spread awareness for cancer research so that all kids can just be kids, cancer FREE. He wants nothing more than for Alex’s dream to come true.

Danny’s last treatment was August 2008. At his last scan in June, his doctor called him boring!! After being followed so closely for all these years we are happy to have time away from the hospital. He makes us laugh everyday and like that little 9-year-old ten years ago, he is living life to the fullest. He is my hero.

Written by Jody Hammond, Danny’s proud Mom
Dec 2011