Some 100 people have signed up to attend the second Heroes for Hannah shave event on Friday in Cricket Square.
The event supports Hannah Meeson, a 7-year-old who has been battling medulloblastoma, a rare type of brain cancer, since she was 4. She made headlines last year for rallying the support of hundreds at a similar head-shaving event.
This year, Hannah’s support network has extended across the globe, with people signing up to shave their heads in Shanghai, Australia, the U.S., and the U.K.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The event, which coincides with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, aims to raise $150,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer research charity in the United States. So far, $70,000 has been raised, and more than 60 participants, including education councilor and George Town MLA Winston Connolly, have signed up to shave their heads.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation recently named a research grant in honor of Hannah Meeson, with two years of funding for medulloblastoma research.
‘New normal’
“Living with a child with cancer affects the whole family,” said Gaylene Meeson, Hannah’s mother. “Life will never be the same again. We live with a new normal. We appreciate all the small things. Every day with Hannah is a miracle. We know there is no cure, but we try not to dwell on that fact.
“She is very happy despite her condition and diagnosis. She smiles most of the time. Playing games, reading, doing puzzles, spending time with her cousins,” said Mrs. Meeson, who will be shaving her head, as will her husband Nigel.
Participants from various local companies have also signed up to shave their heads. Mike Farrington, owner and manager of Compass Marine said five members of his team have registered. They are wearing gold T-shirts this month in an effort to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
Childhood cancer in Cayman
Victoria Anderson Gray, project coordinator of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, said the organization currently assists eight families with children who suffer from childhood cancer.
“Childhood cancer, a noncommunicable disease, has an enormous effect on individuals, families, communities and the country. Cancer in general is expensive to treat, therefore this can pose serious economic and social challenges,” she said.
“Most cancers are preventable (unfortunately childhood cancer is not preventable but is curable in many cases) and as the person responsible for public education, I am willing to take every step, use every opportunity to bring awareness to the community,” she added.
The Cancer Society is hosting public presentations this month to raise awareness of childhood cancers locally.
Young heroes
In addition to supporting Hannah, this Friday’s shave event will honor other local children, including 1-year-old Skylar “Mimi” Ebanks, who has been diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a type of malignant tumor mostly found in young patients.
“Our lives changed. It’s a very humbling experience,” said Skyler’s mother Mechan Ebanks. “We learned to live by faith. We learned to be creative with seeking information.”
Skylar has been through six rounds of chemotherapy and has left-side weakness due to the tumor damage. She has also lost half of her hearing from a chemotherapy drug. Despite everything she has been through, however, Ms. Ebanks said “she is a very happy baby and she smiles pretty much at everything.”
Three-year-old Beau Shields was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer when he was 5 months old.
Neurobalstoma, though rare, is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in children. It arises in immature nerve cells and affect mostly infants and children,” said Beau’s mother Colleen Shields.
She said Beau is doing great at the moment, but he still has to travel to Miami Children’s hospital every three months to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Seven-year-old Tayden Grant was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 3.
“His diagnosis caused a great strain physically, financially and emotionally on our entire family,” said Tayden’s father Trent Grant. “But in truth, the warrior spirit in Tayden has showed us all the importance of love, courage and family.” The causes of childhood cancer are not well understood, and research is poorly funded, according to Mrs. Meeson.
Nikki Callender, an organizer of Friday’s event, said, “The Meesons not only want to find a cure for Hannah, but help prevent other children and families having to endure this battle. No child should experience this horror. Quite simply, kids like Hannah are worth fighting for.”
The shave event at The Wicket in Cricket Square from 5-9 p.m. is open to the public. To support childhood cancer research through online donations, visit stbaldricks.org/events/heroesforhannah.
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