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 […]
Sickle cell disease almost cost this boy his life. ‘It’s nothing to play with,’ mom says
One of the dreaded complications of sickle cell disease happens when sickle-shaped red blood cells cause large amounts of blood to pool in the spleen. It happened to Karson George of Canton in August 2019, when he was 9 months old. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to flow easily through […]
Perseverance keeps Pano achieving goals after cancer treatment
Like a story out of Greek mythology, Pano Tsarouhas’s cancer journey started in Greece, but his battle with Ewing’s sarcoma was defeated in Ohio. While on vacation in Greece, Pano came down with a fever. After returning home, he had an appointment at Pediatrics of Akron expecting an antibiotic would help him feel better. “Dr. […]
Siblings with blood disorder can now see their providers virtually
The coronavirus pandemic has brought changes to health care, including one in particular that has made life a little bit easier and safer for the Workinger family of Wadsworth. Three Workinger children have an inherited blood disorder. For the first time this year, the kids were able to use telehealth services to see their providers […]
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 […]
