Patrick’s fight against cancer began early in his life. Patrick’s birth and babyhood had seemed normal, but toward the end of his first year, his mother felt sure something was not right. He had vomiting episodes and was a terrible sleeper, but Patrick was her first child, and everyone said he was probably just a “fussy baby.”
 
Up one night with him at 3am, his mother noticed a lump in his belly. The next day, she took him to the pediatrician for an ultrasound. Later that day, Patrick was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumor, a rare children’s cancer. His mom said, “I didn't even know what the word 'oncologist' meant at the time of his diagnosis.”
 
Patrick had a resection of his tumor and kidney, followed by six months of chemotherapy. Wilms’ Tumor is rare but usually highly curable, so Patrick’s doctors expected the chemotherapy to conclude his treatment. However, a CT at the end of treatment showed spots on Patrick’s lungs, and later Patrick’s Grandma found another lump in the spot on his belly where the first one had been.
 
Patrick underwent a more intensive chemotherapy protocol, surgery and radiation. His CT scans are now negative.
 
He is now 3 years old and loves tools, helicopters, fire trucks and his baby sister Elisabeth Ann.
 
Patrick’s mom found ALSF when she was looking up ways to fight back against childhood cancer. She wrote, “Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation gives me a way to feel some sort of control in the fight against childhood cancer, when really... I am powerless against it all. It allows me to fight, in whatever small way I can, instead of sitting back and waiting for others to do something.”
 
The family held their first lemonade stand in December of last year and felt empowered by the experience and plan to do more.
 
“My hopes and dreams for Patrick are the same as any mother, yet are  amplified due to his cancer diagnosis. I hope for a bright, healthy future for him. I dream that he will succeed in life and will grow to be a man with a loving family of his own. I pray he will fight for what he believes in and stand up for those who need a voice. I pray he continues to be kind and gentle and brave...and cancer free!”  

Information submitted by Elizabeth Strom Edwards, Patrick’s Mom
June 2013