MEET CONNER
By Jackie Hughes
This year's Make-A-Wish Child is Conner, 9, from North Branch, MN, battling Ewing's
Sarcoma. Conner is an outgoing, talkative guy who enjoys
playing with the Wii with his brother. Some of his favorite things are golf, the Twins,
Pizza Hut, chocolate and his dog.
Conner's wish is to travel to Hawaii!
He is most excited about seeing a volcano, walking on cold lava, riding a train
and seeing turtles! His wish trip is scheduled for October!
EWINGS SARCOMA
As a parent, the fact that your
child has cancer is one of the worst situations you can be faced with.
Sarcomas are rare types of cancer
that develop in the supporting structures of the body. Ewing's
Sarcoma is named after Dr. James Ewing, who described the tumour
in the 1920s. It is a cancer which can develop anywhere in the body, although
it most often starts in the bone. Any bone can be affected, but the
pelvis, thigh bone (femur) and shin bone(tibia) are
the most common places.
The frequency in the Untied States
depends on the patient's age, with a rate of 0.3 case
per 1,000,000 children in those younger than 3 years of age to as high as 4.6
cases per 1,000,000 in adolescents aged 15-19 years.
Although, Ewing's
Sarcoma is a type of bone cancer, it can also very rarely occur in the soft
tissues rather than starting in the bone. This is called extraosseous
Ewing's sarcoma. Sometimes these cancers are
called primitive neuroectodermal tumours
(PNET).
The exact causes of primary bone
cancer are unknown. The development of Ewing's sarcoma may be in some way
related to times of rapid bone growth, which may explain why more cases of Ewing's Sarcoma are seen in teenagers. Like other
cancers, it is not infectious and cannot be passed on to other people.
Pain is the most common symptom of bone
cancer. However, symptoms may vary depending on the position in the body and
the size of the cancer. There may be some swelling in the affected area and it
may become tender to touch. Bone cancer is sometimes discovered when a bone
that has been weakened by cancer breaks, after the child has a minor fall or
accident.
Treatment will depend on a number
of factors, including the size and position of the tumour,
and may include chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, or a combination of
these. A high percentage of children with Ewing's
sarcoma can be cured. Even if the tumour comes back,
further treatment may be given successfully. Surgery and radiotherapy can stop
bones growing and may make muscles and tendons shorter. This may mean that
further operations will be necessary later in life. However, most children who
are successfully treated for Ewing's Sarcoma
grow up without major disability.
HAWAII--THE ALOHA STATE BECAME THE 50TH STATE IN 1959
Hawaii is like no other place on Earth!! Home to one of the world's most active volcanoes and the world's
tallest sea mountain. Birthplace of surfing and the
hula. Former seat of a royal kingdom. Hawaii is one of the
youngest geological formations in the world and the youngest state of the
union. But perhaps Hawaii's most unique
feature is the Aloha Spirit: the warmth
of the people of Hawaii
that wonderfully complements the islands' perfect temperatures.
There are primarily six major
islands to visit in Hawaii: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii's Big
Island.
You'll find each island has its own distinct personality and offers its own
adventures, activities, and sightseeing opportunities.
Kauai's incredible Waimea Canyon is 10 miles long, and one
mile wide; Duke Kahanamoku, the "Father of Modern Surfing,"
grew up in Waikiki on Oahu; the tallest sea cliffs in the world can be found on
Molokai's north side; a hulking ship is still trapped in the watters of Shipwreck
Beach on Lanei; the crater of Haleakala
on Maui is roughly the size of the island of Manhattan; Kileaua Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on
Hawaii's Big island is the world's most active volcano.
Anytime is truly a good time
to travel to Hawaii.
Conner will be going in October and temperatures will be averaging 75-88
degrees Fahrenheit. All of us from the
Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitching Association wish you:
ALOHA, CONNER!!
