When a child is diagnosed with cancer and has to start chemotherapy, it can be overwhelming for the entire family. Preparing, however, and arriving at the Norton Children’s Infusion Center with a “chemo bag” — filled with practical and comforting items from home — can help reduce stress for both the child and parent. “Our…
Children with cancer were more likely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms than other children, according to a first-of-its-kind worldwide study. One in 5 children with cancer had severe or critical COVID-19, and 1 in 25 died, according to health data gathered in 45 countries. In the general population, severe COVID-19 has been reported in only…
Some pediatric patients with bleeding disorders may have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, especially if they have serious underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity or asthma. Although most bleeding disorders are not associated with impaired immunity, COVID-19 can be a concern for children who are taking immune-suppressing medications, as…
A healthy diet that includes foods — not dietary supplements — rich in antioxidants can help kids undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) reduce the risk of infection and inflammation in the digestive tract, according to a recent study. A diet with foods rich in vitamin A, alpha and beta carotene, and carotenoids resulted…
Leukemia bruising occurs more easily and frequently than typical bruising, may show up in odd places, tends to take longer to clear up and can be part of a number of symptoms seen on a child’s skin, according to a Louisville pediatric hematologist/oncologist. “Bruising from leukemia may occur for unclear reasons, and the bruises could…
It’s the news no parent wants to hear: acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer of the bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made — is rare but dangerous, affecting about 500 children in the U.S. every year. Norton Children’s Cancer Institute is participating in two clinical trials for the…
Norton Children’s Cancer Institute cares for children with hemophilia, blood cancers and many other diseases. Emicizumab is a new drug now being used for children with moderate to severe hemophilia A. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that stops a person’s blood from clotting, so it becomes difficult to stop bleeding once it starts, even from…
June 6, 2021, marked the end of the long reign of the “Sickle Cell Queen,” LaVera Wilson. So-named by her colleagues, LaVera spent her 44-year nursing career with what is now Norton Children’s, much of the time as a lead apheresis nurse. “The first couple years, I started in general surgery, then moved to cardiology,…
University of Kentucky freshman Said Zakaria certainly seems set up for success. Determined to one day be a dual-certified general and orthopedic surgeon, Said completed 21 hours of prerequisites through a dual-credit program at Butler Traditional High School his senior year so he could start classes in his major, biology, immediately. What makes his achievements…
An active 9-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better summer. Alaina Kenney enjoyed playing softball in the perfect, hot summer sun. She loved boating and tubing frequently on Rough River Lake with her family. After one particularly perfect day, Alaina spent the night with her grandparents, who were planning to take her to school the…
Childhood cancer fact: Childhood cancers make up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year, accounting for about 10,500 children in the United States under the age of 15. Childhood cancer rates have been on the rise for the past few decades. Here are some facts: 10 childhood cancer facts After accidents, cancer is…
On Valentine’s Day, 2020, Angel Florian received a 6-foot-tall plush rose from her boyfriend. It was a substitute for the real flowers he wanted to give her but couldn’t because her weakened immune system made it too risky. It was a year earlier, just after her 17th birthday, that Angel received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic…