In 2009 during a routine exam to enter preschool Blaze's pediatrician found a lump in his abdomen. In November a scan was done which showed it was a mass. The week of Thanksgiving he had a biopsy and a port put in. Initially, the family was told it was not cancer but did need to be removed as it was the size of a softball and had moved and stretched his insides. The week before Christmas a surgeon took part of the tumor but could not remove much of it due to the tumor being wrapped around his spine and major artery. After this surgery, he could not support his weight on his legs. He went home Christmas day in a wheelchair and with a catheter. His parents were told that it was unknown if he would ever walk or go to the bathroom again. However, Blaze was determined within a couple of months he started crawling and pulling himself up on things, and eventually with physical therapy he was able to walk.

In January 2010 the results from the pieces of tumor removed during surgery came back. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 5. Nothing prepares you to hear the words "I'm sorry, your child has cancer." He completed four months of chemo but scans showed no change in the cancer. Blaze and his family traveled to Philadelphia where his parents were told he was not eligible for MIBG therapy and then to Sloan Kettering in NYC where Dr. LaQuaglia was able to get much more of the tumor out, only leaving behind the size of a lemon. When the oncologist was asked when Blaze would be cancer-free or in remission his parents were told those words did not apply to his case. This was the second hardest news to hear. But God had other plans! We are so blessed to say that in November at the age of 20 Blaze celebrated being cancer free for 11 years! 

ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation was such a big part of Blaze's journey. They were there right from the beginning. Without the resources, help, and support it would have been significantly harder. ASK supports not only children with cancer but their families as well. They offer educational support, financial assistance, and community events for children with cancer and their families. ASK has a child life specialist, chaplain, psychologist, and education specialist who all played a big part in helping Blaze and his family. We can't thank ASK enough for all they do! Help us help kids with cancer and their families in honor of Blaze and in memory of his friends we lost during the journey.