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Love for Zac – CA

zac-new-properestZachary Farrington, AKA Zac, was diagnosed with advanced stage Neuroendocrine Carcinoid Cancer in July 2014 at the young age of 15. Unfortunately, Zac passed away 7 months later on February 26, 2015 at the age of 16.

Neuroendocrine carcinoid cancer is a relatively rare cancer in which slow growing tumors are found in the pancreas, liver and digestive tract and are commonly misdiagnosed as other non life threatening diseases such as gastrointestinal reflux disease, kidney disease and a variety of others. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear the cancer is already in its advanced stage.

During his 7 months battling this horrific cancer, Zac had pneumonia which caused him to be placed in an induced coma, ended up with a tracheotomy, a breathing machine, a feeding machine, constant blood and plasma infusions, chemotherapy, pancreatic cancer meds, several stays and holidays (including his 16th birthday) in the children’s hospital and a cocktail of over 35 meds just to name a few.

image2Throughout all of this Zac and his family never gave up hope. Zac fought so hard and overcame so many obstacles that the doctors held out no hope for. Even up to his last breath, Zac never gave up. Despite extraordinary life saving measures, Zac ultimately succumbed to complete organ failure.

Throughout this journey, several miracles happened and so many resources became available to support Zac and his family. Through this page, we hope to provide the same support to other families who are battling childhood cancer and provide information on cancer research. The most important things we learned from Zac were to never lose hope and to live each day to its fullest. In honor of Zac, please help us support others so that they too, can live each day and never lose hope.

image2 (2)These hospital care bags were inspired by Zac’s mom and sister after having an extended stay at the hospital. Zac’s mom, Kathy, was by his side 24/7 and often times needed items that weren’t readily available to her at the hospital. We made these bags in hopes that it will make life a little easier on the families staying for a long period of time with their child. The last thing these parents need to think about is where and how to get some essential care items. The bags included: shampoo and conditioner, body soap, lotion, chap stick, gum, mints, eye masks, blankets and nail files provided by ACCO, notebooks, folders, pens, calendars, instant coffee and money for the vending machines. We hope that these 25 hospital care bags can bring a little relief to families that have just had their worlds turned upside down and have a long road ahead of them. A little cheer, however small, can go a long way  in the healing process.

 

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Below is a gallery of Zac and his journey.

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