February 2020 brought a global pandemic and a cancer diagnosis to then 11-year-old Paul Smith. Both required isolation and patience. Both would bring tears and sacrifice. But neither could stop Paul’s resilience, a mother’s love or a care team dedicated to getting Paul back to his best. On a family ski trip, Paul’s cancer let […]
Meet some of our cancer and blood disorder patients and learn about the Akron Children's Hospital Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders.
Bolivar family celebrates daughter’s recovery from aplastic anemia
Alayna Numbers looks like your typical, healthy and active 5-year-old with curly brown locks, lots of energy and an infectious smile that belies her recent battle with aplastic anemia, a rare condition where the body stops producing new blood cells, and if left untreated, can be fatal. While 2020 introduced social distancing and wearing masks […]
Cancer patient’s beach-inspired tree is small in stature but big on love
While the bright lights and sparkle of the Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival may be virtual this year, the heart-warming stories that bring many of the trees to life are still very real, like Addison Tolley’s brave battle with cancer. Bright-eyed and active Addison was home rehabbing a torn ligament in her knee when her […]
Dancing through brain cancer treatment to achieve dreams, Molly Oldham reflects on her journey
Recent high school graduate Molly Oldham was a typical 18-year-old 421 days ago. She was preparing to leave for college to pursue musical theatre, ready to take on her dreams of Broadway. What followed was anything but typical. Molly and her mother, Bunny Oldham, sat in the emergency department (ED) after Molly’s migraine would not […]
Advances in treatment bring childhood cancer survival rates close to 90 percent
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Jeff Hord, medical director of Akron Children’s Showers Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, used the opportunity to discuss with Ray Horner, of WAKR AM Radio, the advances made in childhood cancer outcomes. Here are the highlights of their conversation: Horner: I’ve been doing some reading […]
A mile in their shoes: Former cancer patient is now an Akron Children’s nurse
The old expression, you can’t understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes, isn’t just a saying for Cody Shearrow. It’s a way of life. As a registered nurse in the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, he not only provides care to patients, he also understands exactly what it’s […]
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