10-Year-Old Dayton Boy Is This Year's Ambassador for Childhood Cancer Fundraiser
At present, cancer-free, Arjun Thacker is catching up with the things he missed in school. And during his free time, he does what he loves to do—watch SpongeBob SquarePants and draw cartoon monsters.
News reports came out this week, featuring Arjun Thacker, from the Dayton section of South Brunswick boy, as the 2020 ambassador for Help Cure Childhood Cancer Campaign, a yearly fundraiser to raise money for children undergoing pediatric treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering or MSK.
10-year-old Arjun has this inspiring story of recovery from illness. Last year, he was diagnosed to have Ewing's Sarcoma, and after going through one year of treatment, he is now cancer-free.
Thacker's journey started when one day, after school, he came home, reporting "a bump on his wrist." His school nurse advised the boy's parents to consult a doctor.
According to the child's mother, Nipa, they took Arjun to the pediatrician, and he underwent all the tests needed, but nothing showed up. They then went to consult an oncologist who suspected that the boy had sarcoma. Later on, the biopsy confirmed that suspicion from the oncologist said Nipa.
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A 'Strong' and 'Positive' Cancer Patient
In the beginning, the Thackers admitted they struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis of Arjun. They were shocked, his mom recalled, and they did not know what hit them. "It was a difficult time for us," she added, to accept their child had cancer "just out of the blue."
The boy's treatment at MSK began instantaneously. Almost every day, his family traveled for his chemotherapy sessions. And, to reduce the traveling time, reports said, they moved to the Ronald McDonald House.
Nipa shared that their whole family would try and make the child comfortable on days when they were back home. "But he set the tone for us," she continued.
The patient's mom, a Quest Diagnostic business analyst, described Arjun as a "strong and positive" boy. And in each step of the way, the boy was kept informed about his condition and treatment.
And, with all that he had been going through as a cancer patient, the 10-year-old demonstrated incredible strength and determination that brought inspiration to his family
The course of his treatment was spent mostly with MSK volunteers, participating in various activities. The volunteer department's head then approached Arjun's parents and asked if the boy "would consider being an ambassador.
The boy was informed about the invitation and told it was for fundraising. Arjun was enthusiastic about it. Nipa said her son didn't know what exactly what it meant, but he was "excited to see his pictures at Stop & Shop," and that was all he knew.
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Giving Back
MSK helped the Thackers a lot that, Nipa said, they wanted to give back in whatever way they can. She added, it was her son's decision, so they went with it.
To date, Arjun is catching up with the things he missed in school. And during his free time, he does what he loves to do-watch SpongeBob SquarePants and draw cartoon monsters.
There were difficult days, and Nipa recalled when her son had a fever and could barely eat. They found so many children who also had cancer at the treatment center, and that made them realize, she shared, they were not alone.
By sharing Arjun's story, the family hopes to inspire other families as well, whose children are combating cancer.
A Charitable Campaign
Help Cure Childhood Cancer is the largest charitable campaign of Stop & Shop. This year, the shop's customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with all of their change, 100 percent of it, going to the hospital.
Meanwhile, in New York, New Jersey, and Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut, proceeds are all intended to support MSK Kids, a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center pediatric program.
Shoppers can find reusable bags, too, with artwork that patients designed. According to reports, these bags would ill cost $0.99, from which, %0.25 from the profits to be donated to the pediatric cancer center. Online shoppers at Stopandshop.com, on the other hand, can donate $1, $3, or $5 upon checkout.
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Sep 17, 2020 08:20 AM EDT
