Compassionate Capitalism - July 2006

Angel Kiss Foundation

Helping Children with Cancer

You’re living the good life in Nevada, when you suddenly receive a horrifying wake-up call. Your child is diagnosed with cancer. What do you do? There is no pediatric oncology center in Nevada. Most likely, you will be relocating to another state for at least four months to procure treatment.

This means you will maintain two households, possibly losing one parent’s income so someone can care for the sick child while the other parent tries to preserve stability at home. Beyond the emotional concerns are very real financial concerns. Again, what do you do?

Angel Kiss Foundation (AKF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families of children with cancer. It began in Virginia in 1990 with the death from leukemia of five-year-old Jarryd. His grandparents, David and Barbara Rosin, founded the organization in his memory and named it after a birthmark on Jarryd’s cheek, which the family referred to as Jarryd’s "Angel Kiss." When the Rosins relocated to Reno, they saw the need for an organization to help families in Northern Nevada, and the Nevada chapter of AKF was founded in 1997.

AKF provides immediate help with any expense related to treatment, regardless of family income. "We recognize cancer does not see poverty guidelines, and families need help now," said AKF’s executive director, Kathleen Hale. "We have a very simple ‘no red tape’ application and can begin funding within hours of receiving a call. We are currently working with more than 75 families and received 11 new applications for assistance this year."

The non-profit organization provides financial assistance to families to cover expenses for medical care, rent, utilities, food, travel and any additional expenses the family incurs during the child’s treatment.

ACK recently worked with Carolyn (Lina) and Matt Jensen, whose seven-week-old son, Tanner, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – cancer of the eyes. Lina noticed slight irregularities in Tanner’s eyes and scheduled an appointment with her pediatrician as a precaution. The next day, the Jensens were referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist, who confirmed Tanner had a growth behind his eye, but recommended a more thorough exam under anesthesia.

What happened next, in Lina’s words, "Was a blur. I was feeding Tanner when the doctor gave Matt the diagnosis." Tanner had one large cancerous tumor in his right eye and five tumors in his left eye.

The family was told on Friday they would need to receive treatment in San Francisco, and they had to be there on Monday. Their treatment schedule called for four months of chemotherapy, as well as laser surgery before each treatment to shrink the tumor. "Four months came and went," said Lina. Tanner had two different types of chemotherapy because the first type caused hearing loss and kidney damage.

For 18 months, the Jensens lived separate lives – Matt in Reno and Lina off and on in San Francisco. In July of 2005 Tanner’s right eye was removed and he received an "amazing" prosthetic eye, according to Lina. In December came the worst news: chemo and lasers weren’t working. A team of more than 40 oncologists met to discuss options, and radiation was the only answer. For six weeks, Tanner Jensen, now 20 months old, received radiation five days a week.

At Tanner’s first follow-up exam, the Jensens received good news – the tumors were dead. However, the battle is not over. The family will travel to San Francisco at least every two months for the next five years for check-ups. Tanner has more than a 50 percent chance of developing secondary cancer.

The Jensen family is only one of 136 families who have been helped by AKF, which has provided more than $250,000 in assistance to date. Angel Kiss Foundation is helping them cope while they are undergoing these challenges.

For more information, contact:

Angel Kiss Foundation

150 E. Ridge Street

Reno, NV 89501

775-323-7721

Angelkissfoundation.org