Every family facing a cancer diagnosis dreams of the end of treatment and beginning of survivorship. Today, nearly 85% of children reach the 5-year cancer-free milestone. 

Survivorship can look different for everyone. Many kids continue to struggle with long-term side effects from treatment, which is why the fight for safer, less toxic treatments continues. 

We're celebrating all heroes who give hope to the next generation. Here are three childhood cancer survivors who inspire us to keep going.

1.    Arden 
Arden was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was only 1 year old. Today, she’s almost 5 years cancer-free. 

Arden’s family recalls her time in treatment as a whirlwind of tests and plans. Her specific cancer type was high-risk with the ALK mutation – which made Arden eligible for a promising clinical trial. Her treatment lasted over three years, but Arden celebrated “No Evidence of Disease” in May 2023. 

Now, Arden is filled with hope and laughter. She loves going to school and dancing, and she’s excited to celebrate her 7th birthday this July.

2.    Kingsley
When Kingsley was 11 months old, he was diagnosed with Wilms tumor. This August, he will be celebrating 7 years of survivorship!

Shortly after receiving his diagnosis, Kingsley began treatment with surgery to remove the kidney with the tumor followed by chemotherapy. After several years of anxiety inducing follow-up scans, Kingsley entered the survivors' clinic. 

Kingsley and his family are so grateful for every year he celebrates cancer-free! Today, he is 14 years old, playing sports and excelling through advanced classes at school. 

3.    Sylvia
When Sylvia was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, the future felt uncertain. Now, her family’s greatest hope is that she remains cancer-free and that her body grows strong again.

It took 30 rounds of proton radiation and four rounds of chemotherapy plus occupational and physical therapy to help Sylvia see improvement. Radiation damaged some of her cranial nerves, so Sylvia uses special glasses to help with her vision. 

As Sylvia surpasses short-term survivorship, she is celebrating the transition to long-term survivorship now that she is 6-years cancer-free. Although she struggles with side effects of treatment like hearing loss, difficulty balancing, and difficulty growing, she always has a positive attitude. Today, Sylvia is 13 and loves to swim and participate in musical theater.

To read more about the incredible kids who inspire us to keep moving forward towards safer treatments and more cures, check out our hero stories.