Hope for Miracles raises money for rare form of childhood cancer

JAY | Holly LaBombard's son Karson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that most commonly forms in children five or younger, when he was three. He had surgery to remove the tumor at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital. His doctors believed it was a one-time thing, but he started going in for yearly checkups, just in case. At his four-year checkup, it was back. Once again, UVM removed his tumor without complications. Through these diagnoses, LaBombard asked the UVM Children's Hospital, The Dana Farber Insitute and Memorial Sloan Kettering many questions about the cancer that went unanswered. She found it was because the research needed to answer these questions, hadn't been done. "What we learned when we were at MSK is that they really didn't know much about neuroblastoma," LaBombard said. "Because there's not a lot of funding for childhood cancer." MSK told LaBombard that because all types of childhood cancer are considered "rare," there isn't as much federal funding available to research them. They also told her that because of this, a lot of the funding comes from parents who start non-profits. "Leaving there we thought oh my God, even if Karson does not have this again, we can't possibly not fight," LaBombard said. Two months after the family left MSK, LaBombard, along with a board of directors, created Hope for Miracles, a non-profit organization that raises money for neuroblastoma research. Two years later, in May 2020, Karson was diagnosed with another neuroblastoma. This time UVM sent him to MSK, where his tumor was removed. This time he also underwent radiation and chemotherapy. From the beginning, Hope for Miracles made it their mission to donate at least 96 percent of the money they raise. Every year since its inception in 2019, it has donated 99 percent because it found it could keep operating costs at 1 percent or lower. LaBombard hopes the non-profit helps other families in similar situations feel hopeful about their child's future, or even prevent them from going through it in the first place. "It was just the worst thing we've ever been through," Holly said. Hope for Miracles raises money through donations, fundraisers hosted by community members, Facebook fundraisers and their annual gala. This year's gala will take place Nov. 12 at Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake from 5 to 10 p.m. LaBombard said the dress code is advertised as formal but is not a requirement. LaBombard said the board decided to only donate to MSK for the time being because that is who they trust to do research. The money they donated is being used for vaccine research that is in phase one trial. Holly said It is being made specifically for neuroblastoma, but will also be used to treat any type of solid-type tumors. Hope for Miracles has also received grants from Walmart and Stewart's to put together care packages for children and their families who are going through treatment. "There's usually apparel," LaBombard said. "Lots of hats because children lose their hair, so they like to wear a hat. And we have shirts and sweatshirts because it's very cold. Going through this with Karson, we know everybody's cold in the hospital." The packages also contain activity books, stickers and temporary tattoos to keep children and their families busy. Karson is currently 12 years old and healthy. He has his next scan coming up Nov. 6. He just finished his football season and is looking forward to basketball. "He's very into being athletic and sports," LaBombard said. "We're glad that he was able to actually play a sport this year because when he's sick, he's not able to." Last year, Hope for Miracles raised $100,000 to donate to MSK. They hope to raise that much again this year. For more information, visit https://www.hopeformiracles.org/.

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Hope for Miracles raises money for rare form of childhood cancer

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