Dena Sherwood

My son, Billy Jr was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in July 2008 when he was only 13 months old. While on vacation at the beach my husband Billy and I noticed something was not quite right with our son. We cut  our family’s vacation short and brought Billy to his doctor. The doctor did not find anything amiss, but we were not satisfied. We took Billy to the hospital and were told that he had pneumonia and that one of his lungs had collapsed. After further testing, Billy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Intermediate Risk Neuroblastoma, which after relapse this March was changed to Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma.

Since diagnosis Billy has endured countless procedures including CT scans, bone marrow biopsies, MIBG scans, X-rays, MRIs, ten rounds of chemotherapy, four major surgeries, four central line placements, PICC line placement, eight chest tubes, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, stem cell harvesting, 14 rounds of radiation, 4 rounds of 3f8 antibody and through this all Billy amazes us with his strength and courage.  To learn more about Baby Billy, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/babybilly

I have joined this GREAT TEAM to honor all Neuroblastoma Warriors and their families and all Neuroblastoma Angels and their families - in particular, a beautiful warrior, AVA HOLDER, who may never grow hair due to extensive radiation to her brain and spine after relapse a month ago; BILLY SHERWOOD, JR., my amazing son, who has taught me so much about strength, courage and perseverance in the last twenty-one months; and, PIERCE PHILLIPS, who earned his ANGEL WINGS way too soon after a valiant fight at the age of two and a half.

THESE CHILDREN ARE MY INSPIRATION AND I HOPE TO RAISE AWARENESS, WHICH WILL SOMEDAY LEAD TO MUCH NEEDED FUNDING IN ORDER TO ONE DAY FIND A CURE FOR NEUROBLASTOMA. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF THESE CHILDREN WHO CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT, THOSE THAT HAVE LOST IT TO THIS RELENTLESS CANCER AND THOSE THAT  WILL BE CHOSEN TO FIGHT TOMORROW .