The Green Bay Packers game against the Chicago Bears looked a lot brighter this NFL season. On Sunday, Dec. 12, Packers’ running back Aaron Jones wore custom-designed cleats, in partnership with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, to support children battling childhood cancer.

The special NFL program, “My Cause, My Cleats”, raises awareness and funding for causes that are near and dear to players’ hearts. Participating athletes sport a custom cleat design that represents their passions beyond the field on game day, then auction off the cleats at the NFL auction to raise proceeds for their selected charity.

Earlier this year, kids with cancer and their family members submitted their original hand-crafted designs for Aaron’s cleats, from which he personally selected his favorite. This year marks Aaron’s second time partnering with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation for the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign to support and raise awareness for childhood cancer.

On November 13, Ashley Herman of Marshfield, Wis. was selected as the program’s winner. The 18-year-old cancer hero was invited to visit Lambeau Field in Green Bay with her mom, dad, brother and boyfriend, where Aaron surprised her with the news that he selected her design for his cleats.

“You’re definitely strong and resilient. Never stop fighting,” Aaron shared on a virtual call. “I want you to know that I’m in your corner forever.”

Ashley was surprised and delighted to speak with Aaron about her design and thought process behind the artwork. When selecting her design, Aaron was particularly drawn to the phrase “be the change” on the cleats—a phrase that stuck with Ashley throughout her treatment. “All it takes is one person,” Aaron told Ashley. “And now when I wear those cleats, everyone will see be the change.”

To top off the victory, Ashley was not only gifted a pair of her own custom cleats but also learned she and her family would attend the Packers’ game on December 12 to see her design in action.

Cleats designed by childhood cancer heroes seem to bring a little bit of magic to Aaron’s game. He scored back-to-back touchdowns in Ashley’s cleats to help boost the Packers’ to a 45-30 victory over the Chicago Bears, while, last year, he ran for his longest career touchdown in Ethan Haley’s cleats.

Finding Hope and Courage Through Art

Both art and sports played a large role in Ashley’s everyday life growing up. When she wasn’t in school, she would spend her time painting or sketching or playing volleyball for Columbus High School.

This past winter, however, Ashley was faced with news that would change her life. On Jan. 27, 2021, the Wisconsin native was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma—cancer that affects specialized white blood cells within the body’s immune system, which hinders it from defending against bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

Despite receiving this startling news, Ashley’s perpetual positive attitude kicked in and her first words to her doctors and families were, “okay, what do we do next.” Today, her cancer is in remission.

For Ashley, “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign means more than just winning. She plans to continue to share her story with others battling cancer to help them keep pushing forward and to encourage them to share their own experiences.

Aaron also hopes his participation with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will inspire others to make a difference. The Foundation, which launched its Childhood Cancer Program in 2012, has worked vigorously to find better treatments and cures, provide family and patient support and offer aid to children who struggle with the long-term effects of treatment. Since its inception, the foundation has contributed over $35 million towards its mission and also funded more than 455,000 hours of research.

In 2022, Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s Childhood Cancer Program is celebrating its ten-year anniversary by continuing to create moments of joy and drive connections amongst those affected by childhood cancer. Learn more about the Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s Childhood Cancer Program here.

If you’d like to hear more about Ashley’s story, watch it now!

Photo: Christine Shields Corrigan

Telling children that a parent has cancer is one of the most difficult things a newly diagnosed parent must face. For starters, there’s no one or “right” way to have this conversation. Every family copes with life’s challenges uniquely. As a two-time cancer survivor, wife, and mom of three children, here are some of my thoughts about “telling the kids” based on my experiences.

At first blush, a parent’s instinct may be to avoid telling the children in order to protect them. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, my children were ages 19, 15, and 10, my husband and I decided that we would tell them when we had all of the relevant information—diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis—so that we would be on the same page and could deal with the news together. It seemed like a logical plan at the time, but for various reasons, it didn’t work out as I’d hoped. In fact, my plan to share the information at one time made a difficult and stressful time much harder. Instead of trying to control the narrative, I should have shared the information, particularly with my teenage children, as I received it. 

In addition, as a practical matter, it’s hard to keep cancer a secret. Children know when secrets are being kept. They’ll pick up on their parents’ worry, anxiety, and hushed voices and wonder what is being kept from them. Understandably then, kids might believe that whatever is happening is too awful to talk about, which in turn might make them feel isolated from the very people who are supposed to care for them.

Another problem with not telling children about a cancer diagnosis is that, if their parents don’t tell them, they’ll inevitably hear it elsewhere. A classmate or a neighbor might say something, not knowing that the news hasn’t been shared. Now, the children may find themselves in the bewildered space of not knowing what to believe and questioning whether they can trust their parents.

There’s no getting around it—children need to be told about a parent’s cancer diagnosis. However, before having these painful and hard conversations, take some time to plan what to say. Talk to a spouse, partner, therapist, or a health care professional. Consider writing down important points so you can pay attention to your children’s reactions. Be prepared for your children to ask whether you will die. It was the first question my younger son asked. In response, I explained that my cancer was caught early, that I would have surgery and chemotherapy to get better, and that I had great doctors taking care of me. Also, don’t be afraid of being emotional. It’s okay to cry together. It’s okay to admit that this is a frightening time, but reassure them that the family will get through it together.

How much information to share depends on the children’s ages. In general, children aged eight years or younger don’t need detailed information, while older children and teens will want to know more. However, according to the American Cancer Society, at a minimum, children should be told the following:

  • the name of the cancer (e.g. breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma)
  • the location of the cancer in the body 
  • the type of treatment 
  • a simple explanation of side effects
  • how their lives might be affected 

When naming the cancer, it may be helpful to use a doll, stuffed animal, book, or drawing to show or preschoolers and school-aged children where the cancer is. Young children are concrete thinkers so they likely will focus on the outside effects of the disease, such as hair loss or weight changes. Tell the children that they didn’t cause the parent’s cancer. Nothing they did or didn’t do caused their parent to get this disease—it’s not their fault. Parents should assure their children that cancer isn’t contagious and let them know that it’s okay to hug and show affection for each other.

Parents need to be honest about any changes that may happen to their children’s day-to-day lives. For example, children should be told that the parent might be away from home for several hours a day so that he or she can the treatment they need to get better. Family and friends may provide meals because the parent may be too tired to cook. Classmates’ or teammates’ parents may take children to and from school, sports, or other activities. Grandparents or other relatives or friends may stay with the children if the parent has to go to the hospital. The sick parent might need extra help with chores. By letting the children know this information upfront, the changes in their routines may be less upsetting.

Parents need to give their children time to absorb and process this news and therefore should be prepared to have more than one cancer conversation. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage children to ask questions and share their concerns. Try to have these conversations during a quiet time without interruptions so that the kids feel that they’re being heard. If parents don’t know the answer to their children’s questions, tell them that and follow-up later with an explanation. 

And above all else, remind children that they are now and always loved. Cancer will never change that.

Christine Shields-Corrigan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Christine Shields Corrigan, a two-time cancer survivor, wife, and mom, gives voice to the beautiful ordinary in her lyrical and practical essays. Her work about family, illness, writing, and resilient survivorship has appeared in a number of outlets

 

 

Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of Covid-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead before you pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe! 

For some March 14 is just an ordinary day. But if you equate 3.14 with pi, you know this magical date is worth celebrating. From library programs, to a pie baking class to a mathematical symphony, here are seven Seattle Pi Day events especially designed for families.

photo: iStock

Pi Day Dash
If you need motivation to make it through a 5K, the Pi Day Dash is the race you’ve been looking for. It’s a 3.14-mile fun run through Seattle’s Magnuson Park, and it’s perfect for runners and walkers of all ages. Kids (ages 6 & under) who are in to the pie but aren’t quite ready to go the (full) distance can run in the free Cutie Pie Dash where they’ll get a free pie-pop at the end. Race registration includes a chip-timed event, super comfy event shirt and finish line pie for all participants. 100% of proceeds are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Event details.

Children’s Pie Baking Class
Mix it up using math and science to make some tasty treats. Bright Horizons at Pioneer Square invites families to celebrate Pi Day during their children’s Pie Baking Class. At this event, families will learn why we celebrate Pi Day, participate in a pie baking class led by our teachers and take home their very own apron. This event is geared toward children ages 2–5. Please RSVP to pioneersquare@brighthorizons.com with your full name and number of attendees. Event details.

Pi Day Spy Day
It’s 3.14 and kids ages three and up can head to the Burien library to discover why the number pi is such a special number. They’ll also have the chance to practice their super spy skills. Event details.

Storynauts Present: Pie in the Sky
Join the Storynauts on a new adventure, watching stories written by real kids brought to life by real actors in the form of sketch comedy and song. The Storynauts are a program of The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas, and our mission is to elevate and celebrate the voices of young writers. It’s a wild ride powered by laughter and we hope you can join us. Suggested donation of $10 at the door. There are two show times on Mar. 14 at 3 & 7 p.m. Event details.

Science Dome Pi Day Celebration
Bring the kids to the Science Dome for their Pi Day event featuring hands-on activities in the winter garden and a showing of Chaos and Order: A Mathematical Symphony in the planetarium. Celebrate math, the “one language of our universe.” Event details.

Raspberry Pi Computer Jam
Seattle Raspberry Jam is a free monthly Raspberry Pi meetup group for beginners to experts. This event features their meet up team and some very fun, interactive Raspberry Pi projects, including a DIY marshmallow roaster. Come and participate in this Pi Day celebration, share your Pi knowledge or show a project that you have created. Event details.

photo: email2ying via iStock

You can also celebrate 3.14 with pizza (pie). Take advantage of a great deal and save yourself dinner prep on a Saturday night. At Pagliacci’s you can grab two slices of pizza for $3.14 or order one 11” pizza and get the second for $3.14.

 

—Allison Sutcliffe

RELATED STORIES:

Easy as Pie: 6 Perfect Seattle Pie Shops

5 Spots to Eat (Savory) Pie for Dinner

Slice of Heaven: The Best Places for Pizza Night

10 Eastside Restaurants that Serve Up a Side of Fun

Our Big, Juicy Guide to Where Kids Eat Free (or Super Cheap)

 

Flapjack fans rejoice! Make your calendars because Tuesday, Mar. 12 is Free Pancake Day and we’ve got the scoop on where to get free pancakes all day long.

Head to your local IHOP—a.k.a., the United Nations of Pancakes—for a free short stack of Original Buttermilk Pancakes on Tuesday, Mar. 12. Here’s an even better reason to grab yourself a piping hot stack of pancakes for National Pancake Day, (besides the obvious benefit of a free meal): these are pancakes with a purpose.

You might know Free Pancake Day as National Pancake Day. Same thing, right? Yes—but IHOP has upped their game to make free pancakes even better by renaming their big day to “Free Pancake Day: Flip it Forward for Kids.”

 

For each stack of pancakes IHOP serves on Free Pancake Day, the national chain will donate money to help children battling critical illnesses. According to IHOP’s website, the company has raised more than $30 million to help its community partners since the first National Pancake Day in 2006. IHOP has chosen to spotlight three charities at its National Pancake Day website: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

There’s even a new item on the menu, courtesy of the company’s charity work: IHOP asked kids who were treated at any Children’s Miracle Network hospital to create their dream pancake recipe. After some very tasty work, the pancake pros picked three finalists—with six-year-old Brody taking the top prize for his OREO Oh My Goodness pancakes. IHOP will donate one dollar for each of these cookie crumble-topped pancakes sold on National Pancake Day

Get free pancakes and help kids in need at the same time? Now that’s a delicious idea!

—Keiko Zoll & Erica Loop

Featured photo: peter lewicki via Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES

The 8 Best Girl Scout Cookie & Wine Pairings—as Tested by Us

Want to Eat Healthier? Science Says Go Ahead & Have Dessert—First

These New Birthday Cake-Flavored Cupcakes Mean the Party Can Go on All Year Long

This is from our friends in Portland, from the FindMark.org website:

“I am reaching out personally to each of you reading this message to help me find my husband. According to Mark’s doctors, his lymphoma returned and is creating pressure on the frontal lobe of his brain. This is the seat of reasoning, judgment and memory and explains his growing confusion and disorientation. Without medical treatment, the pressure will spread to the brain stem which controls basic bodily functions. Right now we still have time to find Mark before that happens. He may still be able to get around and talk, even be on the road somewhere, but he is in desperate need of medical attention. PLEASE redouble your efforts today to look for him, and to spread his photo and his story to others.  One of you will see Mark and bring him home to his daughters Kelly and Claire and to me so we can put our arms around him and care for him. Call 911 if you think you see him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Searches in the greater Riddle area haven’t turned up any sign of Mark since he disappeared on September 16. That same night three different people reported seeing a man matching Mark’s description attempting to hitchhike in the area. If Mark did get a ride, he could have easily left Oregon, so his family is reaching out to media in the states surrounding Oregon. He may have made his way to or through California, Nevada, Idaho or Washington.

For more info, visit FindMark.org