Three brave boys

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

Mason Stanley, Rodney White and Lane Cunningham have had to face challenges most young boys never do.

Stanley, 18 months, is coping with an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder that has prevented him from talking, walking and eating well. White, 5, was diagnosed in January with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. Cunningham, 2, is a survivor of neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer.

The diagnoses have brought physical, emotional and financial challenges to the boys and their families.

“We have good days and bad days like everybody,” Shelley Stanley, Mason’s mother, said. “It’s probably made us a little bit stronger.”

Westminster Church, 13th and Maple streets, is having a “Kakes for Kids” fundraiser for the boys and their families. The Cunninghams and Stanleys attend Westminster, and Rodney attends the church’s preschool.

The event, which will bring Chris Cakes’ pancakes and all the fixings, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Tickets can be purchased at the door for a $5 donation or in advance by contacting kakesforkids@yahoo.com, calling the church or calling Kathie Wingert at (785) 242-9682.

Checks may be made to Kakes for Kids. Donations also are accepted.

Wingert said the church wanted to help the families defray costs incurred with multiple hospital visits and treatments.

“We’d be thankful for any turnout and any support,” she said.

Mason Stanley

Mason was born with a cranial malformation in which the soft spots in his head were fused, along with a neuromuscular disorder that doctors have been unable to diagnose, his mother, Shelley Stanley, said.

“They just can’t figure out what’s wrong with him,” she said.

Though surgeries have corrected Mason’s skull, the neuromuscular disorder has left him unable to walk or talk, Stanley said. She said her son has been diagnosed as “failure to thrive,” which means he’s not growing as he should.

She said in addition to doctor’s visits twice a month, Mason receives regular physical, occupational and speech therapy at home, and he receives special supplemental formula to help with his weight.

She said the family — which includes a sibling, 10-year-old Emily, and Stanley’s husband, Neil — has remained strong, but the circumstances have taken a financial and emotional toll on them.

“We have no answers really at this point,” she said.

Stanley said her family has received much support from friends, family members and the church.

“I was shocked and very surprised and so thankful we have such a wonderful community,” she said of her reaction to hearing about the fundraiser.

Rodney White

Dana White will never forget the day her son was diagnosed with cancer.

It was the birthday of her husband, Scott: Jan. 7, 2008.

Rodney was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of pediatric cancer.

White said her son is on a 54-week treatment plan that involves many appointments and in-hospital stays, five chemotherapy treatments and radiation. She said the cancer keeps him from going to school sometimes, as well as doing the things that go along with being a 5-year-old boy.

“I can see that it wears on him at times, but for the most part he is responding well,” she said. “He’s been a trooper, and we’re very proud of him.”

White said the ordeal has affected her family in many ways.

“But basically, our lives revolve around doctor’s visits, hospital stays and keeping on top of Rodney’s care,” she said.

Rodney has a 7-year-old brother, Russell, and two sisters, Alyssa, 19, and Jessica, 20.

White called the support received from friends and family a “true blessing.”

“It has helped us and continues to help us get through this very difficult situation,” she said.

Lane Cunningham

When Lane was almost 9 months old, he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. His 16-month treatment included nine months of chemotherapy, three surgeries and hospital stays in three states.

But in September of 2007, Lane was declared NED — no evidence of disease. Since then, he has scans and tests every three months to monitor his condition, his mother, Kara Cunningham, said.

Lane’s next set of tests is next week, she said.

“We’re praying for good results,” she said.

Lane has had some recent setbacks, including a spinal fracture, Cunningham said, but even that didn’t slow him down much.

Cunningham said she’s grateful for the support she and her family — which includes husband, Todd, and daughter, Lakin — have received, especially support from congregation members.

She said her family has become friends with the Whites though church. She said she hopes Lane’s story of overcoming cancer has inspired them.

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.