Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
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Karen Whitfield of Killarney has been inspired by her son Lance to participate in the 46 Mommas: Shave for the Brave fundraising event in Los Angeles next month.
When Lance Whitfield was just 23 months old, he was diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer in his mouth and jaw.
Lance Whitfield underwent 31 days of radiation at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre after he was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 23 months. (SUBMITTED)
The toddler went through six months of chemotherapy and 31 days of radiation at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
"It was frightening for us," said Lance’s mother, Karen Whitfield. "We were in shock. You hear about it, but you never think it’s going to happen to your own child."
The lives of the Killarney family — Karen and her husband Dan, along with their four boys — were flipped upside down.
"It’s very difficult trying to be a normal family, trying to keep things rolling," Karen said. "My husband trying to still go to work … and financially it hits you very hard too."
It was heartbreaking to watch their baby boy go through such strong treatments.
"Being such a young age, it was so, so difficult," Karen said. "When he had his radiation, he was still having chemo, so he was having both together... It was just incredible, what we had to see him go through."
Lance is now four years old, turning five next month. He has been in remission for two years.
"He’s doing very well," Karen said, however there are many side effects that they will be dealing with for years to come. Lance has to go into Winnipeg every three months for MRI scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and dental checkups.
"Normally after two years of remission, they change it to every six months but because of the type of cancer that Lance had, and the long-term side-effects, they have to keep a close eye on him," Karen said.
Because of the radiation, Lance lost all but six of his teeth. His lower jaw bone is dead, and not growing. When he’s a teenager, it is expected Lance will go through a major reconstructive surgery.
"They’ll remove his dead jaw bone, and they have to reconstruct a new one from the bone in his leg," Karen said. They know that Lance will not have any adult teeth on his lower jaw, so in time he will have dental implants.
Karen said the family is on edge, worried by the thought that a secondary cancer might emerge.
"We get concerned maybe a little bit more than normal, average parents," Karen said. "You just never know ... the first signs of (leukemia) is bruising on the skin, so every time he falls and gets a bruise, we get freaked out."
Lance has inspired his mom to join a major fundraising drive for childhood cancer research.
Karen is one of three Canadian moms that will take part in the 46 Mommas: Shave for the Brave event in Los Angeles on July 29.
"I’ve always wanted to do something, but I wanted to do something just for the kids," she said. "There’s a lot of other charities out there, there’s the Canadian Cancer Society, but unfortunately very little goes to childhood cancer."
Through the Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation, and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Karen was chosen to be involved in the event, which raises money and awareness for childhood cancer.
The 46 Mommas organization began in 2010, and established a fundraising goal of $1 million for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The name stems from the statistic that on any given weekday in the United States, 46 mothers are given the devastating news that their child has cancer.
Karen will be one of 46 mothers getting their head shaved at the annual event. Karen and her two fellow Canadian "shavees" have a goal of raising $10,000 each before the event.
Currently, Karen is just over $8,000. Money raised by the Canadians will stay in Canada.
To donate to Karen’s cause visit stbaldricks.org/participants/karenwhitfield.
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 21, 2012
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When Lance Whitfield was just 23 months old, he was diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer in his mouth and jaw.
The toddler went through six months of chemotherapy and 31 days of radiation at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
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When Lance Whitfield was just 23 months old, he was diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer in his mouth and jaw.
The toddler went through six months of chemotherapy and 31 days of radiation at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
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Posted by:Bill the Needle
June 21, 2012 at 9:12 PM
A story of courage and determination!