Hayden's Heroes met up with Dylan and his family this past April! Dylan is #2TUFF4cancer! His smile is infectious and his fight is admirable. Hayden's Heroes donated $1,000 worth of gift cards for gas and Walmart to his family!
Meet Mason!
April 7, 2018, Hayden's Grandma, Singy Golden and Aunt, Melanie Horner, met up with a Hero named Mason and his family! Hayden's Heroes provided Mason and his family with a few gifts of love and hope!
Read Mason's story below:
Read Mason's story below:
In December of 2016, Mason’s daddy felt a tiny lump in Mason’s belly. We took him to the pediatrician to have it checked out. The doctor’s initial diagnosis was that it was an abdominal hernia and referred us to a pediatric surgeon. Three weeks later we had our consultation with the surgeon. He informed us that it was not a hernia but a mass. He told us that he has seen this before and it’s most likely benign. The following Tuesday Mason had a biopsy of the mass. Friday, January 27, 2017, a day we will never forget, we went to his office for a follow up. We sat in a room waiting for the surgeon to come in to check the incision from Mason's biopsy surgery. I'll never forget the look on the surgeon's face when he opened the door. This once funny, upbeat doctor, who joked with us at our previous appointment, looked at us with pain in his eyes. Fear immediately consumed me. Mason sat on my lap and my legs began to shake as he delivered the words "cancer" and "neuroblastoma". Tears began to stream down my face. I tried to contain them for Mason’s sake. Mason kept turning around to look at me. He wanted to know if mommy was okay. At that moment, mommy didn't think she'd ever be okay again. Mark and I attempted to keep our composure as we walked to our car. We buckled Mason into his car seat, walked to the back of the car where he couldn't see us, and we collapsed into each other’s arms and cried.
The following week Mason had scans at Hopkins to find out where the cancer was and what stage. It had spread from the tumor in his belly to his bones and bone marrow. The final diagnosis was stage 4, high risk, neuroblastoma. Our two year old had stage 4 cancer. I was terrified of what was to come. Our baby was getting ready to fight for his life. I was angry. I was heartbroken. I felt helpless. But we held it together. We pushed through. The next week Mason went back to Hopkins to have a Hickman line placed in his chest. That night he received his first transfusion of chemo.
Since that time Mason has had four surgeries, 5 rounds of chemo, a 12 hour pheresis under anesthesia, 6 cycles of immunotherapy, a stem cell transplant, radiation, countless pokes, x-rays, medications, blood and platelet transfusions, anxiety inducing scans, and over 100 nights in the hospital.
In May 2017 Mason’s scans came back clear and he was declared “NED” which stands for “No Evidence of Disease”. The chemo had done its job and killed all of the cancer. In February 2018 Mason finished his treatment. In March he had scans to confirm that he was still in remission, had his Hickman line removed, and rang the end of treatment bell!
It was a long, hard 14 months of ups and downs, fear and joy, love and loss. Our little superhero fought and continues to fight because it'll never be over. He has taught me more about life in the past year than I ever knew before. He has shown compassion to other patients, which became friends, while receiving treatments. He told jokes to nurses to make them laugh while lying in a hospital bed hooked up to poisons. He would see me cry and tell me, "it's okay". At just 3 years old and 3 feet tall he knows so much about life, empathy, and selflessness. He is the strongest, kindest, most courageous, and caring person I know. He truly is an exceptional little boy and gives us more joy than I can put into words. Through all of the pain and fear Mason smiles that most perfect smile. He laughs his infectious laugh. He brightens any room he walks into. He enjoys life like no other. I look up to him in so many ways. When I think I cannot handle anymore I look at him and all that he has endured in his little life and he gives me hope. He is the epitome of strength and bravery. Not once has he given up. He has a fire inside him that will not burn out. Mason has a heart of gold, tenacity for life, and so much love. He truly is my hero and my inspiration
The following week Mason had scans at Hopkins to find out where the cancer was and what stage. It had spread from the tumor in his belly to his bones and bone marrow. The final diagnosis was stage 4, high risk, neuroblastoma. Our two year old had stage 4 cancer. I was terrified of what was to come. Our baby was getting ready to fight for his life. I was angry. I was heartbroken. I felt helpless. But we held it together. We pushed through. The next week Mason went back to Hopkins to have a Hickman line placed in his chest. That night he received his first transfusion of chemo.
Since that time Mason has had four surgeries, 5 rounds of chemo, a 12 hour pheresis under anesthesia, 6 cycles of immunotherapy, a stem cell transplant, radiation, countless pokes, x-rays, medications, blood and platelet transfusions, anxiety inducing scans, and over 100 nights in the hospital.
In May 2017 Mason’s scans came back clear and he was declared “NED” which stands for “No Evidence of Disease”. The chemo had done its job and killed all of the cancer. In February 2018 Mason finished his treatment. In March he had scans to confirm that he was still in remission, had his Hickman line removed, and rang the end of treatment bell!
It was a long, hard 14 months of ups and downs, fear and joy, love and loss. Our little superhero fought and continues to fight because it'll never be over. He has taught me more about life in the past year than I ever knew before. He has shown compassion to other patients, which became friends, while receiving treatments. He told jokes to nurses to make them laugh while lying in a hospital bed hooked up to poisons. He would see me cry and tell me, "it's okay". At just 3 years old and 3 feet tall he knows so much about life, empathy, and selflessness. He is the strongest, kindest, most courageous, and caring person I know. He truly is an exceptional little boy and gives us more joy than I can put into words. Through all of the pain and fear Mason smiles that most perfect smile. He laughs his infectious laugh. He brightens any room he walks into. He enjoys life like no other. I look up to him in so many ways. When I think I cannot handle anymore I look at him and all that he has endured in his little life and he gives me hope. He is the epitome of strength and bravery. Not once has he given up. He has a fire inside him that will not burn out. Mason has a heart of gold, tenacity for life, and so much love. He truly is my hero and my inspiration
March 2018
Five cards with a $50 gift card to Shell Gas Station and $50 Gift Card to Wal-Mart were distributed to the 4th Floor Hematology Social Worker to give to Histio Families.
Five cards with a $50 gift card to Shell Gas Station and $50 Gift Card to Wal-Mart were distributed to the 4th Floor Hematology Social Worker to give to Histio Families.
February 2018:
As we have previously posted, Hayden's Heroes has expanded their mission statement to not only help Histio families but to help families who have a child with a life altering disease/disorder.
Six years ago Hayden and Lily met while buying shoes at Finish Line. They automatically had a bond defined by strength, fight, courage and a journey no child should ever know.
On February 28, 2018, Hayden's Heroes visited Lily's family with a gift basket. As we know there are no magic gifts that can "fix" these journeys but sometimes a gift that can provide a smile and comfort can be a day changer!
Thank you Smooch! Studio for helping make this basket super special 💗🖤💗
Thank you to all of Hayden's Heroes supporters for helping our mission continue. Hayden is proud!!!!
Always and Forever Hayden Strong❤️💙💛
As we have previously posted, Hayden's Heroes has expanded their mission statement to not only help Histio families but to help families who have a child with a life altering disease/disorder.
Six years ago Hayden and Lily met while buying shoes at Finish Line. They automatically had a bond defined by strength, fight, courage and a journey no child should ever know.
On February 28, 2018, Hayden's Heroes visited Lily's family with a gift basket. As we know there are no magic gifts that can "fix" these journeys but sometimes a gift that can provide a smile and comfort can be a day changer!
Thank you Smooch! Studio for helping make this basket super special 💗🖤💗
Thank you to all of Hayden's Heroes supporters for helping our mission continue. Hayden is proud!!!!
Always and Forever Hayden Strong❤️💙💛
February 2018, Donation Made after BINGO!
December 2017
A gift for "R" and his family from Virginia. "R" is fighting to beat Langerhan Cell Histiocytosis.
***Also in December 2017, we donated a $1,000 and $200 in grocery gift cards to a family in MD.***
December donation for a Histio Patient!
It's the season for giving!!! Hayden's Heroes recently donated 5 gift bags to
Children's National, to be given to Histio Families!!!!
Thank you for your continued support to keep our mission thriving!
HAYDEN STRONG FOREVER❤️💙💛
Children's National, to be given to Histio Families!!!!
Thank you for your continued support to keep our mission thriving!
HAYDEN STRONG FOREVER❤️💙💛
Meet Khoa...
"My name is Khoa Pham. I am 17 years old. I am in the 10th grade and live in Dumfries, VA. I work in a restaurant on the weekends. I love soccer. I moved here from Vietnam one year and 7 months ago, and I did not speak any english. I enjoy seeing my friends. My family is my strength. I am strong and will continue fighting Histiocytosis."
Meet Nate...After 4 surgeries on his mastoid bone behind his right ear, Nate was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Feb 2017. Nate’s journey started with a misdiagnosed ear infection that drained backwards and eroded his mastoid bone (part of his skull). After removing the mass from the mastoid bone behind his ear, the granulation tissue kept re-growing within 2 to 3 weeks. After 3 surgeries at Hershey’s Medical Center, Nate went to CHOP Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a second opinion. We met with an ENT doctor at CHOP in Jan 2017. The ENT doctor was not sure what Nate was experiencing so we prayed for a proper diagnosis. Luckily, we received a proper diagnosis in Feb 2017 and began our daily chemo treatment in March 2017. Thankfully the LCH appears to only be in the mastoid bone. The bone erosion has stopped and we seem to be in a “good place” after 5 months of chemo. Thank you for the donation and we are forever grateful for the support of Hayden’s Heroes.
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Continuing to give...
Hayden's 10th birthday raised $3,156.86!!! We decided to match that and donate a total of $6,313. 78 to Children's National Medical Center Histiocytic Research!
Meet the family of Justice!
In March, we had the pleasure of meeting the family of a little girl named Justice, whom is battling Histiocytosis. With the support of all of our supporters,we were able to bring gifts to help celebrate her 13th birthday and gifts for her mother to help make her day just a tad bit easier.
"Justice is a 13 year old girl who was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis back in 2006, after seeing 28 specialists. She loves music, playing guitar, and is about to start horseback riding lessons. When she grows up, she wants to be a profiler for the FBI."
Here is what Justice's mother had to say about our visit:
“When Hayden’s Heroes came and Melissa spoke to me I felt a complete connection with her, it made me realize that I need a support group. When I saw her support group surround her and bring stuff for Justice it touched my heart. They remembered Justice. The connection I had with Hayden’s Heroes was a connection only a mother of a child with this illness can have. They made sure Justice had everything she needed for her birthday and all of the cleaning supplies I needed to get through chemotherapy which was a blessing. They took pictures of everything and gave me the hope to go on. I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone but when Hayden’s Heroes came I felt good, I felt connected. To have things that I didn’t have before, like toilet paper, Swiffer wet jet, they knew I needed these things to survive with Justice. The cake was beautiful and it was a special day. It makes you forget about all of the bad.”
"Justice is a 13 year old girl who was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis back in 2006, after seeing 28 specialists. She loves music, playing guitar, and is about to start horseback riding lessons. When she grows up, she wants to be a profiler for the FBI."
Here is what Justice's mother had to say about our visit:
“When Hayden’s Heroes came and Melissa spoke to me I felt a complete connection with her, it made me realize that I need a support group. When I saw her support group surround her and bring stuff for Justice it touched my heart. They remembered Justice. The connection I had with Hayden’s Heroes was a connection only a mother of a child with this illness can have. They made sure Justice had everything she needed for her birthday and all of the cleaning supplies I needed to get through chemotherapy which was a blessing. They took pictures of everything and gave me the hope to go on. I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone but when Hayden’s Heroes came I felt good, I felt connected. To have things that I didn’t have before, like toilet paper, Swiffer wet jet, they knew I needed these things to survive with Justice. The cake was beautiful and it was a special day. It makes you forget about all of the bad.”
Continuing to GIVE to research! Thank you all for the continued support to help keep
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Meet Ben!
Meet Audrey!!!
Hayden's Heroes recently donated a monetary gift to her and her family...
From Audrey's Mom:
On November 12th, 2015, less than 2 weeks after her 1st birthday, Audrey was diagnosed with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare genetic immune disorder. After spending her entire first year as a healthy little girl, Audrey was suddenly being poked and prodded by doctors, in and out of surgeries and on her way to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. She has had to undergo chemotherapy treatments, lumbar punctures, blood draws, transfusions, steroid doses...the list goes on and on. For Audrey, going to the doctor and taking a tray full of medicine each day was suddenly normal.
Audrey's life is forever changed by this disease but her bright smile remains. There will be tough days ahead as Audrey prepares for and recovers from her transplant but we know that she will continue to push forward and beat this disease. She is truly the bravest girl I know and she has inspired all of us to smile a little bigger and fight a little harder each day. We walk for Audrey and for all of the kids who will never let this disease take away their sparkle. These Histio Warriors deserve a cure and together we can help find one.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/audreybryan
Hayden's Heroes recently donated a monetary gift to her and her family...
From Audrey's Mom:
On November 12th, 2015, less than 2 weeks after her 1st birthday, Audrey was diagnosed with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare genetic immune disorder. After spending her entire first year as a healthy little girl, Audrey was suddenly being poked and prodded by doctors, in and out of surgeries and on her way to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. She has had to undergo chemotherapy treatments, lumbar punctures, blood draws, transfusions, steroid doses...the list goes on and on. For Audrey, going to the doctor and taking a tray full of medicine each day was suddenly normal.
Audrey's life is forever changed by this disease but her bright smile remains. There will be tough days ahead as Audrey prepares for and recovers from her transplant but we know that she will continue to push forward and beat this disease. She is truly the bravest girl I know and she has inspired all of us to smile a little bigger and fight a little harder each day. We walk for Audrey and for all of the kids who will never let this disease take away their sparkle. These Histio Warriors deserve a cure and together we can help find one.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/audreybryan
Meet Ali!
Ali was the first child that Hayden met with Histio while in clinic one day in Rockville, MD. Hayden's Heroes was honored to send a monetary gift to her and her family!
Alison, a first grader in Maryland, suffers from Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. Diagnosed at 20 months, Ali was typically developing until age 3.5 years. She lost the ability to walk a few days after her fourth birthday. Unfortunately, she has never been off treatment. Despite an uncertain future, Ali goes to a regular first grade class and uses a walker and is doing her best to learn to read well and to keep up with her peers. She has been enjoying adaptive ballet this year!
Ali was the first child that Hayden met with Histio while in clinic one day in Rockville, MD. Hayden's Heroes was honored to send a monetary gift to her and her family!
Alison, a first grader in Maryland, suffers from Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. Diagnosed at 20 months, Ali was typically developing until age 3.5 years. She lost the ability to walk a few days after her fourth birthday. Unfortunately, she has never been off treatment. Despite an uncertain future, Ali goes to a regular first grade class and uses a walker and is doing her best to learn to read well and to keep up with her peers. She has been enjoying adaptive ballet this year!
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- July 2015: Donated $1,500 to Histiocytosis Association in honor of Hayden Boerum.
- March 2015: Donated to the family of Hayden Boerum to aide in funeral and hospital bills.
- July 2104: Donated a $500 VISA gift card to a family at CNMC in Washington, DC who spent months in the hospital with their infant before he gained his Angel Wings from HLH and complications of a Bone Marrow Transplant.
- Hayden's Heroes recently sent a $1,000.00 check to the Histiocytosis Association. The money sent will be used for research for Histiocytosis. Visit Histio.org for more information on the Association.
- Hayden's Heroes donated $500.00 to a local family, who have a 4 year old girl battling Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System LCH for 2 1/2 years.
- In October 2012, Hayden's Heroes donated $500.00 to Be A Match! We also collected 22 units of Red Blood Cells for Children's National Medical Center.
- David and his family received a $500.00 check from Haydens's Heroes in 2012 to help with expenses. Here is his story ~
"David was diagnosed with skin LCH in sept 2008 at 15 months old. He began
running fevers up to 105 with vomiting and diarrhea. None of the doctors would
listen to us. We finally got in touch with Dr.Mcclain and in Oct. 2010 we took
David to see him. He was then diagnosed with GI involvement. He believes David
has had this since birth and said he is a miracle child and that most children
with GI involvement do not survive much less without even having treatment.
Two days later we were back in ATL getting his port placed and starting his first
round of chemo. In April 2011 after 6 months of hard chemo David was declared in
remission.
4 months later, in August David relapsed with GI and skin involvement. He
started chemo a week later in the beginning of sept 2011. He was
supposed to be finished with treatment in sept 2012 but had another deactivation
while on chemo and his protocol was changed to a much stronger chemo. He won't
be finished with chemo until feb 2013. Due to the extensive chemo he has
developed severe periphrial neuropathy. This causes severe pain and
immobility for him. He is on morphine at home to control pain." As told by his Mother, Heather.
running fevers up to 105 with vomiting and diarrhea. None of the doctors would
listen to us. We finally got in touch with Dr.Mcclain and in Oct. 2010 we took
David to see him. He was then diagnosed with GI involvement. He believes David
has had this since birth and said he is a miracle child and that most children
with GI involvement do not survive much less without even having treatment.
Two days later we were back in ATL getting his port placed and starting his first
round of chemo. In April 2011 after 6 months of hard chemo David was declared in
remission.
4 months later, in August David relapsed with GI and skin involvement. He
started chemo a week later in the beginning of sept 2011. He was
supposed to be finished with treatment in sept 2012 but had another deactivation
while on chemo and his protocol was changed to a much stronger chemo. He won't
be finished with chemo until feb 2013. Due to the extensive chemo he has
developed severe periphrial neuropathy. This causes severe pain and
immobility for him. He is on morphine at home to control pain." As told by his Mother, Heather.
Help us continue to help kids like David by donating to Hayden's Heroes now!
