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Bakersfield, CA, United States
Hans was a busy, happy, sweet and fearless three year old when he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. He fought his disease like a "gladiator" for nearly 6 years. Hans was an animal lover to his core. He was 'guarded' at home by his three cats, Black, Orange and Cotton. He also had his Golden Retriever, Honey, to keep him company. Hans enjoyed swimming, biking, gardening, grilling (he had his very own grill!), horseback riding, playing video games, building Legos, and flipping between Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Animal Planet. Hans loved all members of his family and he was a loyal friend. He had to go through a lot of treatment in his life. But Hans powered through it. His attitude was let's get this done! His motivation was always to get back home, to his family, pets, favorite foods and pool.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Five Year Campaign


Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing this note to mark Hans’ 5 year anniversary of his diagnosis: Stage IV High-Risk Neuroblastoma, 10/25/2011. In these 1,825 days Hans has had HUGE obstacles to surmount. Hans has not had one single day “off treatment”. It is quite remarkable that he has survived his disease and his treatments to this point. When Hans first relapsed in May of 2008, we were loosely told to expect about 8 more months with our boy. “Take a lot of pictures and go to Disneyworld.”

Hans didn’t give up and neither will we. We have kept him afloat by seeking out innovative doctors and novel therapies. Hans has endured 58 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 major resection surgeries, a stem cell transplant, three separate courses of directed radiation, experimental radiation therapy, he has participated in two clinical trials, and hopes to be eligible for another soon. Hans has suffered debilitating side effects including the loss of both adrenal glands and delayed bone growth. He has not been able to play on a soccer team or spend a solid month in a classroom since his diagnosis. As I type this, he has been in the midst of a rough progression of disease since summer. It is now moving through his lymph nodes and we are throwing big guns chemo at it in hopes of beating it down once again.

And yet, these past five years have brought love and joy into our hearts many times over. I’m sure we’ve been showered with 10,000 hugs and kisses from our boy in these years. We’ve found joy in loving each other, our family, friends and our pets in the best way we can, every day. We live in the hope that Hans will get to see the day he can be cured from his NB. As you know, that cure is yet to be discovered, research alone will unlock that mystery.

Since our son’s fateful diagnosis we’ve seen our friends, family and community come together with two incredible tasks. As a family, we were supported by the Run for Hans, Sparrows for Hans, and a near 1 million-mile airline miles drive. We’ve always paid it forward and have tried to outmatch the support we have received in contributions for research and education. While in Houston, we worked hard with a group of NB parents and our good friends to establish bake sales, lanyard sales and yard sales which have brought in more than $100,000 for the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation to date. In this economy research funding is dwindling from the federal government and corporate donors. Increasingly, it is parent-led efforts that fund life-saving research. We are tasked with asking you and motivating you to donate.

I feel we are on the cusp of great change in the treatment of NB. I believe an exciting zeitgeist is building as researchers around the country and the world attack the problem of this devastating disease from every conceivable angle. Doctors in New York are developing nanotechnology to target NB therapies, doctors in Michigan are making personalized medicine headlines by targeting therapies specific to the genetic makeup of each child’s NB tumor. A child with NB was the first human child to receive an Oncolytic virus in hopes of obliterating this disease. Doctors in Boston are rolling out a legitimate attempt at a vaccine to prevent Neuroblastoma relapse. We are making new ground as immunotherapy has become the standard of care not only in frontline therapy, but a brand new trial is opening in Philly this month for children navigating the landscape of relapse as well. Our oncologist in LA is working on opening more immunotherapy trials for relapsed kiddos soon. With all these improvements coming from different sources, I can feel that a cure could be at our fingertips.

Please honor Hans and his valiant fight against Neuroblastoma by making a donation to the CNCF today, copy/paste this link to Hans' CNCF Gifts of Hope Fundraising Site. http://www.cncfparks.org/help-a-child/park/21/ Any contribution is wonderful, even $5. It just feels good to see the names of his supporters go up on his site. It’s evidence that his story has moved you and that so many people still care. Thank you for making our dream (having a boy that simply gets to grow up) a reality. Your donation is tax deductible. Feel free to share this letter with others who have been moved by Hans’ journey.

With great Love and Hope,
Lara, Kevin, Elle and Hans Weberling

7 comments:

Vickie said...

What a powerful story for such a remarkable boy and family. Thanks for giving every one the opportunity to jump in and provide support!

Add my hugs and kisses in to the 10,000.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written, Lara! Hans is a true fighter and a real inspiration. We're so lucky to know such a boy!! I'll be sharing your letter far and wide.

xo Shelley

Kate said...

Pulling for you Hans! We will donate in honor of you as well as share this post. You are in our prayers!

Anonymous said...

So many miracles have occurred on behalf of Hans and the many children facing the challenges of neuroblastoma, and they continue to occur as new research paves the way for a cure!

So many friends are in awe of Hans' bravery, as well as that of his mother, father, and sister, Elle!!!

Certainly, all donations will support the research that is key to ensuring a cure for Hans and his dear friends!

May your time at home be a grand celebration!

Hans...WOW...what a great photo!!! Have fun with your latest construction project!

Love and hugs,
Aunt Susy and your New Mexico cheer team!

Anonymous said...

Hansie, your park is soooo cool!! It is going to be full of love for you in no time. I hope everyone visits and adds to your visitor's and ballons!!

You've all touched so many lives in so many ways. We're honored to be your family (and to have recieved those special love pats!).

Love G.Kathy & G. Dale xoxo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!!

Pat K.

Anonymous said...

You'll have to wait for payday (Nov 4), but I will definitely be a visitor to Hans' park. I love you guys! Wendi from E'burg!