Andrew was born on January 26, 2005. He was such a happy baby who loved the attention of his older brother Anthony. When he was 3-months-old, we noticed some lumps forming on his head. We were told that they were just cysts and that they would go away. They did not go away, in fact, they grew bigger. We took Andrew to DuPont Hospital for Children when he was 9-months-old. They removed the "cyst" and sent us home. That was on a Friday. The following Tuesday, I received the phone call that no parent should ever have to take – “Andrew has neuroblastoma...cancer.”

We found out that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and bone. Those cysts on his head were the lymph nodes. Andrew underwent a schedule of treatment that was only about 2 years old. It was our only option. After several rounds of chemotherapy and several surgeries Andrew is cancer free today.

If it weren't for research, the advances in treatment that saved Andrew would not be possible. Research is important not only for treatment, but for the medicines that are available to make the treatments more tolerable. We are dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research until we find a cure.

Written by Anetta Ventresca, Andrew’s Mom
12/10