Chemo Pal Mentor Program Delivers Friendship

Keaton has earned the nickname “Courageous Keaton” by maintaining his spunky, playful attitude no matter how tough things get. He was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at 11 months old and was diagnosed with a secondary cancer in 2014 when he was five. Although he’s spent most of his young life in treatment, his mom Sarah says he never complains.

Keaton has endured two bone marrow transplants: the first from his big brother Blake, and the second from his little sister Brooklyn. Because of his fragile immune system, he has to go long periods without seeing his siblings—that’s where his Chemo Pal mentor, John, comes in. “Having a Chemo Pal, someone to be a kid with him, has been such a gift,” Sarah says.

Keaton’s favorite activities with his Chemo Pal include building LEGOs, playing board games, and anything involving Batman. You’ll often find him in his front yard playing “superhero” and battling imaginary villains. (Bad guys, beware: Keaton plans on being a police officer when he grows up.)

Keaton is one of the 250 Pacific Northwest children and teens CCA’s Chemo Pal® Mentor Program has brought the joy of friendship in the past year. Trained Chemo Pal mentors have devoted 5,800 hours forging and strengthening friendships and family bonds, bringing diversion, fun, and activities to kids during their treatment. Chemo Pal mentors also give parents a much-needed break to grab a cup of coffee, talk with doctors, or spend time with their other children.

In 2013, Oregon Mentors awarded CCA’s Chemo Pal Mentor Program with their most prestigious award for mentoring excellence, recognizing the program for exceeding standards of excellence and quality.

With your support, we can match even more seriously ill children and teens with compassionate adults who offer supportive relationships throughout treatments.

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• Check out our website
• See more stories about how your donations make a difference

Caoimhe has a personality that sparkles just as brightly as her big blue eyes. Her family had recently moved to Portland from Dublin, Ireland when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A series of painful treatments followed—but even after weekly chemotherapy and 12 blood transfusions, little Caiomhe is still always ready for a friendly game of Twister or UNO.

Wise beyond her years, Caoimhe already knows what she wants to be when she grows up: a pediatrician. Until then, she gets plenty of practice working on her bedside manner with her brother and two sisters. “Sometimes we’ll feel scared for her during a procedure, but she always put us at ease,” says her brother, Darragh. “She’s the strongest girl I know.”

If you really want to see Caoimhe light up, play “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars. Her list of favorite things includes dollies, ranch dressing, and playing with her Chemo Pal mentor, Megan. They love doing each other’s nails and anything that involves glitter. Recently, Caoimhe finished her treatment and got to celebrate at her Chemo Pal graduation with Megan and a big balloon version of Olaf from the movie “Frozen.”

Caoimhe is one of the 250 Pacific Northwest children and teens CCA’s Chemo Pal® Mentor Program has brought the joy of friendship in the past year. Trained Chemo Pal mentors have devoted 6,730 hours forging and strengthening friendships and family bonds, bringing diversion, fun, and activities to kids during their treatment. Chemo Pal mentors also give parents a much-needed break to grab a cup of coffee, talk with doctors, or spend time with their other children.

In 2013, Oregon Mentors awarded CCA’s Chemo Pal Mentor Program with their most prestigious award for mentoring excellence, recognizing the program for exceeding standards of excellence and quality.

With your support, we can match even more seriously ill children and teens with compassionate adults who offer supportive relationships throughout treatments.

Links:

• Visit our website to learn more!