Pediatric Cancer Survivor Inspires Hopeful Futures
Cancer can happen to any child, anywhere. It knows no economic, religious, geographic or racial boundaries. Kids' cancers are different than adult cancers. It’s why we fund research specific to the types of cancers that kids get. We call kids that are battling or have battled cancer Tough Cookies.
Pediatric cancer survivor Garrett Semenetz, now 25, is one of those Tough Cookies, delivering a message of hope to families and children alike saying, "As a long-term survivor I feel obligated to help kids and their families to show them a possible bright future."
Cloudy Memories
His first memories are "cloudy". Garrett remembers "little bits" of going to the hospital and not knowing what was going on. Other memories come flooding in, being in a doctor's office...pretty confused. He describes "not grasping it at all". That 'it' was neuroblastoma, a tumor of nerve tissue that develops in infants and children. Garrett was just three years old at diagnosis which accounts for his confusion and just "not getting it". While children and teenagers can be affected at all ages, the average age a child is diagnosed is just six years old. As a toddler, not a lot in the way of "getting it" could be expected of Garrett.
Piecing it Together
Piecing that time together is challenging. Garrett does remember being sore around his torso...the big bandage - standing in his bathroom at home, his abdomen hurting. And then there was his time spent at Memorial Sloan Kettering and having to stay at Ronald McDonald House during treatment, the comfort home provided not always a given. Many kids like Garrett have to travel, often far, to receive treatment and medical care and that means time away from home, from siblings, friends, beloved pets and often one parent.
A Kid and a Teen Find Friendship
Garrett won't soon forget one special friend gained along the way, Justin. At this point Garrett was four and his roommate at MSKCC, Justin, a teenager. That friendship was lasting despite the age difference - families remaining close. So, it was hard to process when Justin passed years later. Another harsh reality for kids with cancer...during treatment, children and teens can become extremely close to one another and in some cases may lose a friend or friends to their diagnosis over their time spent together.
A Teen Himself
The teenage years, a time of great change and upheaval, are often defined by periods of self-doubt, even under the best possible circumstances. For Garrett, one of his biggest challenges was not wanting others, especially peers, to know he had cancer. Although he was cancer-free, with no evidence of disease (NED), he longed to be seen as a "normal" teenager. Yet, his cancer journey, marked by surgical scars and persistent side effects of treatment, made him feel anything but normal. Ironically, this is a common occurrence for teens who have faced a cancer diagnosis. Navigating normalcy can feel like a hurdle in friendships, making it hard to share experiences and stay connected. According to the American Psychological Association, children who have undergone serious medical treatments can experience a range of physical, psychological, and cognitive effects that can complicate their efforts to return to the life they had before their diagnosis.
Side Effects and Life After Pediatric Cancer
Garrett's back bears the mark of permanence and remembrance. His tattoo, a stark reminder of his battle with cancer, serves as a testament to his resilience. The infamous date etched on his back and the scar circling his torso are physical markers of a challenging past. Garrett says it "never lets me forget I had cancer". The harsh treatments he endured also left their mark, causing growth issues and high-frequency hearing loss, a condition he first noticed in a high school physics class when he couldn’t hear the harmonics in a musical piece. Despite these setbacks, Garrett's determination shone through. His growth effects even became an advantage in high school wrestling, where he clinched a championship in the 99-pound weight class.
Tragically, two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors face long-term side effects from their treatments. Yet, Garrett has persevered, embodying his personal motto: 'Make the best with what you have been given.'
Moving Forward with a Message
Now a pediatric cancer survivor at 25, Garrett has crossed many an amazing milestone and he's not taking it for granted. A University of Delaware graduate in Mechanical Engineering now in grad school pursuing his MBA at UCONN, he's chasing his dreams and appreciating his accomplishments more than ever. Add recent home ownership and his cat Ella to a list of things bringing him joy. Truly moving forward with a message, "Thanks to those great doctors and nurses who made my life possible, I’m blessed with a loving family, friends and good health. I wish all pediatric cancer stories could be as happy as mine, maybe someday. Until that day, please help in any way you can. To my fellow cancer kids, keep fighting, stay strong, and never lose hope!"
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Want to help kids like Garrett see a brighter future in any way you can? Donate HERE to find critical pediatric cancer research or click HERE to get involved by hosting your own grassroots event.
Send Garrett's TOUGH COOKIES and inspire that special someone with his story of resilience and hope.