“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: On Aug. 16, 2013, 21-month-old Kallie Swan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It turned the Swan family’s world upside down. They thought to themselves, “How and why did this happen to our 21-month-old daughter?” Although the doctors couldn’t give those answers, they knew they had to do something. So they have rallied with family, friends and community to “fight like a girl” and crusade against childhood cancer.

Not even a month after Kallie’s diagnosis, in September 2013, an entire weekend was planned to benefit Kallie and her family. That weekend, along with all the other events that took place, fittingly became known as “Kallie’s Krusade.” This event helped raise money for the expenses the Swan family incurred.

The community rallied together and it was a huge success, which inspired the creation of this foundation.

Since that weekend in September, Kallie’s Krusade has become a not-for-profit foundation. 100% of the monies raised at the annual fundraiser events will be utilized to help other families in our community whose lives have been stricken with pediatric cancer. From transportation, to lodging and other expenses, the foundation will help to alleviate the financial toll that childhood disease takes on a family

Since Kallie’s death in May, Tara continues to fight to raise awareness the Childhood Cancer through Kallie’s Krusade.” – Gretchen H.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Tyler had Sarcoma cancer in his leg. He had so much chemo. Surgery. He was over dosed with way to much chemo. Leaving the drs at uva hospital in Va. Giving up on him and sending him home to pass.his parents wasn’t giving up and God had a much different plan for Tyler. After an over night stay at home, Tyler mainly in a coma type and only on oxygen. His parents ,his dad got on fone calling hospitals around the U.s. He talked to a dr in Texas who go his medical records from Va. Tyler was fast on his way to Ohio. He spend a few weeks there and they to gave up on him. But Tyler his parents and God wasn’t in no way. Today he is in Cinninatee Childrens hospital,Cinninatee  ohio. Drs are in awe of him. They can find no cancer at this time. The over dose of chemo almost took his life. He has badly damaged his heart and kidneys and his bone marrow.  Yet Tyler has braved all he has suffered through. Drs can’t believe how strong he is and are talking about doing a documentary on him. He’s really fought severely hard. He’s a miracle,a hero.  We thank all the prayer warriors and God for helping the wonderful drs in Cinninatee  Childrens for their knowledge and caring and not giving up. Tyler Wiseman our hero. Many times through treatment we almost love him. He fought and God help him fast” – Loraina L.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Little Ivy Scout was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on May 21st, 2015. She is not even two years old yet, and has been battling for her life for the last four months. Little Ivy has had to undergo blood infusions almost daily, along with an excess amount of chemo. However, despite the battle that she is facing, she has continued to smile, laugh, and bring joy into the lives of those around her. She truly is an encouragement and an inspiration.” – Abigayle S.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: This little hero always had a smile on his face and was always ready to throw up the “rock on” hand signal. He has brought an awareness of this horrible disease to a lot of people who didn’t have a clue. Logan will always be my hero. He is the bravest person that I know and he will always hold a very special  place in my heart. He touched so may lives in the short time he was here.” – Stephanie B.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Audrey was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 2014 after having a seizure at school. After multiple brain surgeries, months of radiation, and over a year of chemo she has lost the majority of her sight and most of the time needs a wheelchair to get around due to paralysis in her right side. Yet, despite these obstacles Audrey has continued to work to raise awareness about juvenile and brain cancers. Shortly after her diagnosis she started a group called Audrey’s Minions and set a fundraising goal for a 2014 Nashville 5k benefiting brain tumor alliance. In three short weeks the Minions raised $3,000 and had over 40 runners. She didn’t stop there. Over the year that followed, Audrey’s Minions continued to work hard to raise awareness. Audrey’s Minions Facebook page continued to grow and reach more and more people. When she heard of Ellen’s #justkeepdancing through childhood cancer challenge she immediately rose to the occasion. She had her minions submit their own videos and a plan for a big dance and taping at the race quickly started to form.  Her Minions were so moves by her ever increasing attempts to raise awareness that they  shared the story of their hero and her hardwork with a local news station. (http://wkrn.com/2015/06/10/girl-inspires-others-while-battling-cancer/) reaching so many with her story of courage and selflessness.
There was an immediate out pouring from people impacted by her story and more teams honoring others joined the fight.
Audrey’s Minions raised $4,600 in 2015 and due to her hardwork to raise awareness the race total was almost $10,000 more than the year before.
Audrey continues her fight against childhood cancer and her selfless campaign to raise awareness and funds for others. There are already big plans for Audrey’s Minions in the year ahead. Audrey is a hero not only to her Minions but to all those in the fight against childhood cancer.” – Rachael J.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: DayzeeMae is a very courageous 15 month old who is fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma.  She is a very happy little girl with a smile that will melt your heart!!  She is truly an inspiration to all of us as she continues to fight each and everyday!!  She is our hero and many other people’s  hero!!!” – Amber H.

More about Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancers:

• About Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer – Detection and Diagnosis
• Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention of Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer
• What are the signs and symptoms of Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer?
• Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer Treatment
• Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer – Stages and Prognosis
• What is the expected life span of Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer?
• After Treatment – Living as a Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancer Survivor

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

• Childhood Brain Tumor Cancer (Brain Stem Tumors)
• Spinal Cord Tumor Cancer
• Childhood Neuroblastoma Cancers
• Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancers
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancers
• Wilms tumor (Kidney Tumors)
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Retinoblastoma
• Bone cancer (including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma)
• Leukemia Cancers: Acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL) Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)
• Hepatoblastoma (Liver Cancer)
• Rhabdoid Tumors

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Preston is fighting Medulloblastoma brain cancer” – Elena S.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Matt Overton is just a man with a dream like you and I. He is a man with a heart of gold, just like the awareness color that represents the cancer I had only a short year and a half ago. He is a friend, a football player for the Indianapolis Colts, a country music fanatic, and a hero. I met Matt on Twitter one morning when I was being admitted back into the oncology ward with a blood infection. I was supposed to have a week off of treatment and time back at home with my family, but cancer had other plans. I tweeted at Matt saying that I would love to meet him sometime. He responded within minutes, tweeting to 44,000+ followers and asking them to pray for me, calling me a beautiful inspiration. I also received a direct message asking me where I was located so that he could meet up with me. A few hours later, there he was at my hospital room door with a grin on his face and the eagerness to know my story. I am twenty years old and at eighteen I was diagnosed with high grade osteosarcoma. It hit me very hard when I was diagnosed, only for the fact that I had plans to move out in less than a month from my day of diagnosis and attend IUPUI here in Indianapolis. I wanted to live, I wanted to study nursing, and I wanted to be a normal eighteen year old. But cancer had other plans. Matthew continued to visit me, send me flowers, text me and check up on me, and inspire me as he consistently showed his compassion to help others who were sick like myself. He surprised me on the eve of homecoming at my hometown high school, where as the reigning homecoming queen, it was my job to crown the next lady who would represent my high school. He and Pat McAfee escorted me onto the football field where they smiled and made me feel as if I was invincible for a little while. It was one of the best nights of my life. Six months ago I celebrated my cancerversary and biggest milestone, my one year cancer free mark. My parents threw a small party for me at a restaurant here in Indianapolis where my family and friends gathered to celebrate being healthy and happy for a year. Matthew took the time out of his busy personal life, during the off season of his career where he spends a lot of his time back in California, to come to my party and once again prove his compassion. There is no one person who is more deserving of this award. Matthew is a man who loves giving his time to kids who may not have much time left. I am blessed beyond measure to have met someone so humble, and his astounding attitude only continues to give humanity a good name. He is my hero, an inspiration to many, and a role model to us all.” – Madeline H.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Cole was 19 months old when he was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma.  He came into the world very small at 2 LBS and 8 OZ.  He has overcome so much in his short life.  He has amazed all of us with his strength.   He has learned to walk since completing chemo.  He is now a typical 2 year old and our HERO!” – Misty E.

“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: I’d like to nominate my son…
Alex, who at the age of 12 was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Large B cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of the bone on Monday April 4th, 2011.
The disease affected 90% of the bones in his body, Alex underwent 6 rounds of intense chemotherapy, 96 hours at a time at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, MI. It was during his time in the hospital that Alex asked for his Xbox to be brought in so he could escape reality with video games. It had a very positive effect on his attitude…it allowed him to cope, relax and have the comforts of home right there in his hospital room…his home away from home. Very few of his roommates had the same comfort or escape…Alex would share his games and controllers until it was time for him to go home.
Alex came up with the idea of…
“What if we could put video games in all the rooms on the oncology floor…and the infusion room too?”

Because of Alex’s inspiration and the way he fought cancer…and eventually won, this year we started a non-profit organization Alex’s Arcade, to help other children like Alex to cope with cancer.” – James C.