In 2015, Kylie Rose Jacobs was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was only 5 years old. She made it through multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, two occurrences of cancer in her liver and a stem cell transplant. Along the way and continuing today, as Kylie gears up for her senior year at Copley High School, she […]
Akron Children’s nurse Sarah Ballentine receives 2026 Faces of Care award
Sarah Ballentine of Newton Falls, Ohio, grew up loving to help others and take care of them. She knew she wanted a career in healthcare. Today, she is a staff nurse in the Akron Children’s Hematology and Oncology inpatient unit. She is also the latest Akron Children’s recipient of the Faces of Care award, an […]
Dr. Jeff Hord to retire, leaving a legacy of expanding care to kids with cancer
Incoming medical student Pano Tsarouhas doesn’t yet know what type of medicine he wants to practice, but he knows exactly the type of doctor he wants to be. He plans to model his approach to patient care after Dr. Jeff Hord, the pediatric hematologist/oncologist who cared for him during his fight with Ewing’s sarcoma as […]
A family’s enduring legacy: The Showers Family Foundation plants seeds for generations of care
In the world of philanthropy, few stories illustrate the power of generational giving like that of Dave and Martha Showers. The retired CEO of Wayne Homes and his wife have not only donated millions to Akron Children’s but have also instilled a passion for helping children in their family, ensuring their impact endures. Dave, now […]
11-year-old’s courage inspires community amid third cancer battle
This fall, Noah Kotlarek started sixth grade at Buckeye Intermediate School in Medina. He’s part of the travel soccer program, a huge Star Wars fan and a dedicated gamer. At just 11 years old, he is also facing his third battle with cancer. A tough journey In July 2022, 8-year-old Noah began experiencing troubling symptoms […]
Cancer brings three families together
“Your child has cancer.” That’s a sentence no parent expects to hear. But cancer brought the Holm, Courtney and Thomas families together – and they formed lasting friendships. Meet Jack Jack Holm is an athletic 12-year-old at Louisville Middle School who played baseball, basketball and golf. Nagging leg pain and swelling led his mom, Sarah, […]
