The Brown Family: Determined to Help Fight Pediatric Cancer
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| Karen and Will Brown support neuroblastoma research at Cincinnati Children's in gratitude for the care their son Nate has received. Here Nate, now in remission at age 2, plays with his brother, Justin, in their backyard. |
Neuroblastoma. For Karen and Will Brown, that word brings back memories – horrible, gut-wrenching memories – from the day doctors told them their 13-month-old son Nate had the disease.
"Until that day, we had never heard the term neuroblastoma," Will recalls. "It was devastating."
The nightmare began for the Browns in September 2006, when Nate's blood pressure suddenly skyrocketed to a life-threatening level. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and after a series of tests, doctors said the words no parent wants to hear: "Your son has cancer."
"We were so afraid we couldn't see straight," Will says, remembering the night that changed their lives.
Since being diagnosed, Nate has undergone two surgeries and eight rounds of chemotherapy. Thankfully, he is now in remission. The Browns feel fortunate that Nate has responded to treatment. They want to help other children battling cancer, and their families, have the positive outcome they've had.
"We've always valued philanthropy and supported worthy causes. But now, instead of spreading out our gifts, we're focused on supporting neuroblastoma research at Cincinnati Children's," Karen says.
Research is key to finding a cure for cancer. As part of the largest pediatric research center in the Midwest, the Cincinnati Children's cancer research team is working diligently to understand the biology of cancer, design drugs that are targeted to specific types of tumors and test promising new therapies.
"There are so many ways to give to Cincinnati Children's," Will explains. "We donate through stock transfer. It's a tax-friendly option that works for us."
The Browns are continually amazed by the complete commitment of the doctors and researchers they've met at Cincinnati Children's.
"The strength required of the people determined to fight these diseases in the face of incredible odds – it's astonishing," Will says. "We're going to do whatever we can to help them keep the momentum moving toward a cure. We won't stand down."
