One day, you are going about your merry way in life…probably doing your best, but also taking things, like health and relative simplicity, for granted. And then life punches you in the gut. Things are no longer simple. And health is no longer guaranteed. One day, you are NOT a cancer parent. And the next day, you ARE.

                  This was me. On May 28, 2001, I was not a cancer mom. On May 29th, I was. Some of you have heard this story before. Probably many times. You may have even thought to yourself, (insert eye roll here) “Michelle is telling the story again…” But I also know some of you are new here…new to PCFLV, new to the world of pediatric cancer. So, here’s the story…the short version. My son, Cole, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on May 29, 2001, at the age of 3. We also had a two-week-old newborn at the time. Life was turned upside down and inside out in an instant. Treatment for his pediatric cancer lasted 2.5 years. The effects of pediatric cancer have lasted 23.5 years. That may sound overly dramatic to some. If it doesn’t, it probably means you are a cancer parent, too.

                  Long story short or maybe short story long…Cole is here, living life as a survivor. (Yes, we got lucky. Pure luck…that’s all it is. We know it and we are forever grateful.) I’m here…still living life as a cancer mom. Because pediatric cancer is the gift that keeps on giving. Yes, I am being somewhat sarcastic, as the “gifts” you get from pediatric cancer are things like long-term side effects, PTSD, relationship issues, and financial troubles. BUT alongside the collateral damage of this journey, there is also collateral beauty to be found. And these beautiful things truly ARE gifts...friendships forged, perspective gained, and gratitude for life and its simple pleasures always present. The extra-special gift from pediatric cancer in my life is PCFLV. It’s my job, but it’s also my passion and purpose. And nothing is better than to hear parents and kiddos talk about PCFLV as though it has been a gift in their lives. I am beyond honored to be part of that, alongside an incredible team of women and an awesome Board of Directors.

                  The truth is, however, that I wouldn’t be here, doing this, if my child didn’t have cancer…if my sweet, funny, energetic three-year-old didn’t suddenly become lethargic and pale. If the pediatric oncologist hadn’t uttered those dreaded words, “it’s leukemia.” If it wasn’t for Cole. One day in 2001, I was holding him down for a lumbar puncture, filled with grief. And then, one day in 2024 (April 27th to be exact) I was holding him on the dance floor at his wedding, filled with gratitude. Life is funny like that. It’s long and it’s short. It’s complicated and it’s simple. It’s choked by grief…and it’s overflowing with gratitude. And my wish for my boy, my cancer survivor, my married son is that he lives every moment to the fullest, appreciating it all.

Written by Cole’s mom, Michelle, Executive Director of PCFLV

Please consider helping children with cancer and others in our community by scheduling a blood donation at Miller-Keystone Blood Center: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/zip