'andon on1Terry s tem By- Martha Godman Brandon Mearns ofWVhitby is a healthy 11-year old with a pleasant disposition and a passion for walking upside down. But te Iook at him you wouldn't know he bas weathered seme significant troubles in the past. At age 4, Brandon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of leukemia which predominates as the most coînmon malignancy in children, with a peak incidence frein age 3 te 5. It aiso occurs in adolescents and less commonly in aduits, and unless aggressive medical treatTnent is implemented, it la fatal. At the turne cf diagnosis, docters informed Brandon s parents that his chances were 50-50. Surprisingly, docters managed te get Brandon's leukemia under control within a matter of. weeks. However, bis recovery was not immediate. In the next three years that followed, Brandon was admitted te the Hospital for Sick Chlldren and endured repeated chemotherapy treatinents witb one goal 'in mind -- te achieve complete remission. His illness was relentless, at one peint leaving him comatose for three months. Subsequently, Brandon was blind and confined te a wbeelchair. But bis family was tbere te, give him love and support when turnes were tough and they neyer gave up hope for bis complete recovery. Brandon looks and feels very well now, but a day neyer gees by that his parents do net fear the possibility of a relapse. And when asked bow cancer bas cbanged their lives, Brandon's father, Rob, says "Our priorities bave changed, I guess. Little things tbat once bugged me don't seem ail that important now." According te information released by the National Cancer Institute, cancer is Canada's second-largest iller next te heart disease and stroke. In 1970 the five-year survival rate for childhood leukernia was only 17 per cent. Today it la almost five, times better, at 83 per cent,* leaving ne doubt that cancer research continues te make progreas. In the nineties, approxirnately one of every two cancer patients under treatment wiIl survive at Ieast five years, compared te one in five during 1940s. Lung cancer is the number once cause of cancer deaths arnong maies. At least 80 per cent of Iung cancer diagnosed today is related to smoking. Aznong wornen, brest cancer is the most common form cof cancer and.the Ieading cause cf cancer deaths. Excluding skin cancer, just over one in three Canadians will develop some form cf cancer during their lifetirne. A few weeks ago Brandon celebrated a special anniversary -- seven years without cancer. Today he is a healtby example cf what pledge rnoney can accomplish. Fourteen years ago, while fighting te, conquer his own cancer, Terry Fox came face te face with many kids like Brandon and bis heart went out te thern. Terry's dream was to raise funds and help find a cure for cancer. His determination made the dream a reality on Apýril 12, 1980 when he embarked on-bis Marathon cf Hope. Even though he died from cancer on June 28, 1981, he left behind his legacy of hope, and bis drearn still lives. On Sunday, Sept. 18 the Marathon of Hope continues. Everyone is welcome te, take p art in the Terry Fox Run and help raise funds for cancer research. The event is net a race. Participants can walk, run, rollerbiade, miheelchair, bike 'or even swim the distance. Anything gees. The Whitby area event begins and ends at the Civic Recreational Complex between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. For information and pledge forms, eall 666-2888. When he was aged 4, he underwent repeated chemotherapy treatments to overcome child- hood leukemia. Photo by Jeremy Dresar, Whltby Free Press I I 1003 Dundas St. E. WTeto ih Oaky Oue -sores are poud Spm3lora of1he Chkk"e<s Macte Network Telef hon t wch benetils local hospitals for chddôes 93 - *R.gQUS PaIOR.AM 0 ow Jewelry stolen from homes Jeý-elry valued at about $6,300 was stelen from -two Whitby resi- dences last week. In the first incident, a Frost Drive woman says she removed her wedding band and engage- ment ring before going te bospi- tal with ber child. When she returned borne the jewelry, valued at $4,300, was gene. In the second case, three gold chains, a Pair of gold carrings with rubies set in them and a ring with a red stone set in it were taken from the uipstairs room of a Ravenview Drive borne. The jewelry, worth about $2,000, was taken sometirne bet- ween Sept. 4 and 6 la an apparent break-in, although police were unable te find a point of entry. The tbeft wasn't repor- ted until Sept. 12.