“Weston and his family have gone through so much during his diagnosis and treatment, and his courage in overcoming cancer is so inspiring and worthy of recognition,” said Denise McDonough, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. “Anthem is committed to improving lives and communities, and that’s why we support the important work done by Maine Children’s Cancer Program to battle childhood cancers and work toward a cure.”
At the age of 18 months, Weston was sent to have imaging taken of a small bump on the side of his head. Within hours, he was admitted to Maine Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
His 20-month treatment plan included chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and two stem cell transplants. In April 2020, Weston’s scans showed that he was in remission.
Now 4 years old and able to participate in things he could never do before, like going to school, Weston’s life is returning to normal.
His family credits the team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and staff at the Maine Children’s Cancer Program for providing them the knowledge, support, and commitment they needed to get through this difficult time.
“Anthem’s ongoing support of our beloved Strike Out Cancer in Kids program goes above and beyond. In addition to Anthem’s role in raising over $5 million for our program through Strike Out Cancer in Kids, the Anthem Heroes at Hadlock ceremonies afford our patients and their loved ones a unique opportunity to celebrate the incredible courage and strength that these young warriors are all too familiar with,” said Grace Jandro, MCCP Philanthropy Coordinator. “Thank you, Anthem, for providing hope and support to the patients and families receiving care at Maine Children’s Cancer Program.”
The Anthem Heroes at Hadlock program provides children who have battled a serious medical condition a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Hadlock Field. Each honoree takes a celebratory home-run lap around the bases of Hadlock Field prior to a Portland Sea Dogs home game (this year the runs were pre-recorded and shown on the Jumbotron videoboard prior to the game).
The recipients and their families also receive a basket of Sea Dogs souvenirs and other VIP privileges at the game.
Neuroblastoma is a type of childhood cancer that most commonly originates in the adrenal glands but also can develop in the nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis. It is the most common extracranial solid tumor cancer in childhood and the most common cancer in infancy. Neuroblastoma is divided into three risk categories: low, intermediate, and high risk.
Children with high-risk neuroblastoma need aggressive treatment, which usually lasts 10 to 12 months and is divided into three phases with an induction phase of chemotherapy and surgery, a consolidation phase with peripheral stem cell transplantation and radiation, and a maintenance phase that includes six months of isotretinoin and immunotherapy.
The goal of treatment is to achieve a complete remission by killing all cancer cells as quickly as possible. Complete remission occurs when all signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma disappear and abnormal cells are no longer found by any standard evaluation (MRI/CT scan, bone scan, bone marrow aspiration, or biopsy). Newer methods are being evaluated that can detect a much smaller amount of tumor in the blood or marrow. <
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