Comments from survivors

"When I came out of radiation treatment, it was the last day of second grade. When I returned, everyone was so happy to see me. During the summer when I was hanging with my friends, I noticed that I couldn't keep up with them. I would stop and gasp for air and my friends would stop and come to me and wonder what was wrong. I felt like I didn't belong with them. Going through chemo was a real pain. I got sick so much and lost so much weight that a feeding tube was put down my throat. It was weird going to school with a feeding tube; I was always wondering what people would say when they looked at me…. Another thing that I have noticed is that I have to work harder than anybody else in school…. Some nights I spend four or more hours on homework, which is more than anyone I know. I had to fight to beat cancer. Now I have to fight harder to beat the cure. I am winning each and every battle." Richard, 18