In last year’s Presidential Proclamation for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Obama stated that the 5-year survival rate for all childhood cancers has climbed from less than 50 percent to 80 percent over the past several decades.
While this is an incredible achievement, there are still monumental hurdles that children and families face when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.
“It is privilege for me to be a part of a team that works to provide treatment and the best possible outcome for these incredible children,” says Suzanne. “It’s an honor to support a child and their family when a cure is not possible. Their ability to still be kids despite the treatments they must endure it inspiring. I dearly love them.”
Suzanne came to Maxim because a patient of hers had just started menses, and due to her chemo, is hypersensitive to certain ingredients and thus having painful skin reactions to the ordinary feminine hygiene products she was using. Suzanne, being the committed fierce woman she is, took the initiative to find a product that would help her already chemo suffering patient find relief for this unnecessary added condition. She did her research and we’re glad to found us. Like the many women we are proud to serve every day, our hearts were especially warmed by this story. We sent her a care pack right away, packed full of organic and natural cotton products and are praying this is one step towards a speedy recovery for her patient.
Other things kids undergoing chemo can benefit from?
Aromatherapy. Some studies have found that certain scents allow children to overcome bouts of nausea and fall asleep when suffering from insomnia. And prayers, says Suzanne.
She recommends CureSearch for families whose children are facing cancer or for people who want to help out in some way. The site offers ways to volunteer, information and resources, and updates on research!
When we had a chance to sit down with Suzanne, we asked her who, in addition to all the kids she develops close ties to, her role models are. Her answer?
“My grandmother was a fierce woman in my life. She had a very difficult childhood, but managed to go to nursing school and make a life for herself. She worked hard as a nurse as a young woman, then as a wife and mother and after she was widowed to support her young children. She was a role model and inspired lifelong learning in me. She was also a very loving woman despite the abuse she endured as a child. She chose to overcome a difficult childhood and show her family how to love.”
So, in this post, we’d like to celebrate both Suzanne and her grandmother, for being fierce women and leading the way for the rest of us. Fierce women find solutions when they are rare and create their own, when none are to be found.
Like our post to show Suzanne you stand with her and the many kids she has the opportunity to work with.