Our Stories
Inspirational SickKids stories.
Related Links
- Krystianna's webisode
- Support SickKids by purchasing Bravery Heart jewelry
- View all webisodes
- Listen to radio stories
- Share your story
- Family of Heroes FAQ
Meet Krystianna
Krystianna has over 669 bravery beads. She’d likely have even more except that the bravery beads program was not fully up and running when she began her treatment at SickKids - so they conservatively estimated the number she would have received prior to the program’s inception
Krystianna, Neuroblastoma
In May 2001 Krystianna was about to complete Junior Kindergarten when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer which develops in the adrenal glands, above the kidneys, and often spreads to other organs. It accounts for nearly 10 per cent of all childhood cancers and is also the most common tumour in babies under one year of age. The younger the child when diagnosed, the better the chance of survival.
Neuroblastoma is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be vague and can mimic so many other diseases.
Krystianna has spent many months in the hospital. She has had numerous rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove a tumour on her adrenal gland, a stem cell harvest, more chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant in January 2002. After the bone marrow transplant Krystianna was disease-free and off treatment for three years. In May 2005 she relapsed. Scans showed cancer in five places throughout her body including a mango-sized tumour in her pelvis and one wrapped around her aorta.
Her relapse was treated with 24 rounds of out-patient chemotherapy over the course of a year and a half - more treatments than most children with Neuroblastoma ever have to endure. She finished her chemo regimen and in February scans revealed that all of the tumours had disappeared except one in her pelvis. She had surgery to remove this tumour. She is now taking oral chemotherapy at home and is being followed regularly in clinic.
She was concerned about returning to school with her bald head and was worried that teachers would stop her in the halls and tell her to take off her hat. The school declared the week of her return to school as Hat Week so that she wouldn’t feel out of place, being the only student wearing a hat. Every student in the school wore a hat for her first week back.
Krystianna has been involved in fundraising events with The James Fund. She runs a lemonade stand every Canada Day in Scarborough and sells home made keychains and pens. The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at SickKids was created to help researchers generate knowledge leading to new therapies for the treatment of patients with neuroblastoma. It has now grown to become the largest neuroblastoma research initiative in Canada.
Each year, SickKids sees approximately 320 new cancer patients, representing more than 25 per cent of all new cases of paediatric cancer in Canada. In Ontario, SickKids is the only children’s hospital that provides the full range of treatments for children requiring the most complex cancer treatments: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, bone marrow transplantation and palliative care.
Watch Krystianna's story!
Watch an exclusive web-only version of Krystianna's television spot!
Pass it along to friends and family.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Thousands of children like Krystianna need your support. Donate Now