St. Balderick's Foundation announces 2011 Ambassador Kids

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, has announced its 2011 Ambassador Kids to represent the more than 160,000 kids touched by childhood cancer each year and the startling reality that one in five kids diagnosed will not survive.

Coming from cities across the United States with different ages, disease types and treatment statuses, these kids are a reminder that pediatric cancer does not discriminate. It spares no ethnic group, socio-economic class or geographic area. Even though the number of children who are cured is greater than it was 20 years ago, the loss of one child is one too many. The five St. Baldrick’s Foundation 2011 Ambassador Kids will serve as the faces and voices of the Foundation for the upcoming year.

Julia Hernandez, 16, from San Pedro, Calif., was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in February 2010. She spent seven months in the hospital and completed her final round of chemotherapy in September at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, Calif. Julia has returned to school and is a smart, active teenager who loves music and going to concerts – and most importantly can’t wait to get her driver’s license. Athletic since she was very young, Julia loves baseball, basketball, volleyball and swimming. She also looks forward to the time when she can explore new places such as Spain and Hawaii. She is passionate about helping others understand what life is like for teens with cancer.

Pietro Pellerito, 11, from Washington, Mich., was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in January 2010. After severe headaches, Pietro’s mother, a radiologist, took him in for a brain MRI, which revealed a tumor. The neurosurgeon was able to remove it, and this early diagnosis improved Pietro’s prognosis. He is currently undergoing treatment at Mott Children Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. Pietro is a very bright boy who loves school and solving problems and doesn’t let his cancer get in the way. He even won a math competition just days after his surgery. Pietro’s dad and both of his brothers shaved in solidarity with him at the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event in Romeo, Mich., earlier this year.

Shaun Paques, 9, from Albuquerque, N.M., was diagnosed at age six with angiosarcoma when doctors found spots all over his spleen and liver. Shaun had his spleen removed and received chemotherapy for the cancer in his liver at University of New Mexico Children’s Cancer Center, Albuquerque, N.M., and is considered cancer free. Shaun loves to ride his bike, play outside and spend time with his family, his twin brother, Justin, and their new puppy at the lake near their home.

Iana Stoinski, 5, from Fond du Lac, Wis., was diagnosed with Wilms tumor in January 2007 when she was two years old. After receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and undergoing surgery to remove the tumor and her right kidney, Iana is now considered cancer free. Iana currently visits the hospital every six months for an ultrasound, clinic visit and lab work. She enjoys dancing, music, books and spending time with her two younger sisters.

Arden Bucher is forever three years old. Her journey reminds us that one in five children diagnosed with cancer will not survive. Arden’s family learned she had neuroblastoma, one of the most fatal types of childhood cancer, just before her third birthday. After eight months of aggressive treatments, Arden passed away before reaching the age of four. She was a vibrant, intelligent, endearing girl with a quick wit and active imagination. This September, Arden’s mother, Amy, joined the 46 Mommas, a group of 46 women touched by childhood cancer from all walks of life across the United States. Amy traveled from her home in Jamison, Pa., to join the 46 Mommas in Los Angles, where they braved a shave at a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event on Sept. 7 in honor of their children and all kids affected by cancer.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s 2011 Ambassador Kids and their families will attend St. Baldrick’s events and talk with media, volunteers, shavees, donors, researchers and many others to give hope and encouragement to other children and families affected by cancer, advocating for the Foundation and bringing awareness about the cause to the public at large. Featured in various St. Baldrick’s materials and in web-based communications, these children and families will put a personal face to the Foundation’s mission to raise awareness and fund the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.

“All of these children are a constant reminder of why we are on a mission to conquer kids’ cancer,” said Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “As we follow Julia, Pietro, Shaun and Iana this year, we will remember that it takes all of us to continue to raise awareness and support quality research that will find cures. And as we are inspired by Arden’s story, we will be even more motivated to reach that goal.”

Since 2000, St. Baldrick’s has raised more than $90 million. This year alone, the Foundation has funded more than $14 million in grants, made possible by nearly 800 events, shaving more than 38,200 heads. The Foundation’s letsCONQUER movement is further raising awareness with the help of actors, athletes and public figures who have added their voices to the cause.

Do your part, get involved! To locate or organize an event in your community, sign-up to shave, donate or volunteer, visit www.StBaldricks.org. You can also become a support on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, join the Foundation’s letsCONQUER movement and visit the Foundation’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation makes grants to research institutions to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to find treatments to ensure a better quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds research projects conducted by established pediatric cancer experts, as well as younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, offering the best available care for every child. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is grateful to its many volunteers (bald or not!), donors and sponsors, including Allied World, Barbicide, Dowling & Partners, elope, Markit, and PartnerRe. For more information about St. Baldrick’s, please call 1-888-899-BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.