Valentine’s Day 2020 is forever etched into Chad Bigley’s mind and not for the reason one might expect. Instead of spending the day with his high school girlfriend, Chad, age 17, was sitting with his family in orthopedic oncologist Dr. Scott Weiner’s office where he had just been officially diagnosed with osteosarcoma (the most common […]
They ‘graduated’ cancer and are now graduating high school
Five high school seniors recently gathered in downtown Akron for photos but there was no time to linger once the last image was snapped. They dashed to rescheduled softball games, spring musicals and other social engagements – just as it should be. The busy lives of teens about to embark on the world is not […]
Jackie’s journey: From cancer patient to survivor
As an athlete, patient or coach, Jackie Custer believes in the mantra there is no ‘I’ in team. Growing up, Jackie learned how to win games with her teammates. As she faced her own battle with cancer, she relied on her Akron Children’s care team to get her to the finish line. Today, at 24, […]
CNP Allison Fischer hits the high note of her career after joining Akron Children’s
If it weren’t for a successful career as a certified nurse practitioner in Akron Children’s Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Disorders, Allison Fischer would be an instrumentalist. After her great uncle recently fell ill, he gifted her with his guitar to continue to fill the family with music. Though she has only […]
Growing up, but not out of a bleeding disorder
From the outside, kids affected by bleeding disorders appear well but, on the inside, these conditions can damage joints or organs and require ongoing medical care. For parents, the other side effect of these conditions is the stress and anxiety they can bring as children learn to navigate their treatment plan independently. Colton Clites, now […]
Women’s History Month: LaTonya Lewis
As part of Women’s History Month, LaTonya Lewis, program director, newborn screen counselor, and outreach education coordinator for the Region VI Sickle Cell Program, shares her thoughts on her career and what it means to be a woman in health care. What is your role at Akron Children’s and how long have you been with […]