When 16-year-old Logan Maggard was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or blood cancer at age 14, it came as a complete shock to his family. His mom, Angela, had chalked up his complaints about leg pain to sports injuries and growing pains. “Logan is very outdoorsy,” said Angela. “He loves to hunt and […]
Cancer patient’s beach-inspired tree is small in stature but big on love
While the bright lights and sparkle of the Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival may be virtual this year, the heart-warming stories that bring many of the trees to life are still very real, like Addison Tolley’s brave battle with cancer. Bright-eyed and active Addison was home rehabbing a torn ligament in her knee when her […]
A mile in their shoes: Former cancer patient is now an Akron Children’s nurse
The old expression, you can’t understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes, isn’t just a saying for Cody Shearrow. It’s a way of life. As a registered nurse in the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, he not only provides care to patients, he also understands exactly what it’s […]
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Reyanna’s cancer battle inspires her to help others
Reyanna Putnam has faced cancer and beaten it … twice. Next, she wants to help other kids by becoming a pediatric oncologist. And the college junior is well on her way to achieving that. The Akron native and Firestone Community Learning Center graduate is the first recipient of the 33 JordynStrong Survivor Scholarship. The Canton-based […]
Children’s Champion spotlight: Morgan Kainrad-Taylor
Ravenna resident Morgan Kainrad-Taylor knows first-hand the high level of care Akron Children’s Hospital provides its patients and families. “When I was 3, my parents noticed things were off with me so they took me to Akron Children’s,” said Morgan. “After some tests that night, the doctors discovered I had stage 2 acute lymphoblastic leukemia.” […]
8-year-old boy aspires to be like his oncology doctor someday
Eight-year-old Grady Oprean is going to make a fine doctor one day. He’s got the compassionate bedside manner part licked. That’s for sure. And despite his young age he has experienced enough of the clinical side that he can probably pass his MCATs (Medical College Admission Test) today. “I want to work for Akron Children’s someday […]