Hiladun Family Establishes Nonprofit in Honor of Son Will
When Will passed away his family and town were devastated, but the Hiladuns have since formed the Brave Will Foundation to help others whose children receive a similar diagnosis.
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March 22, 2010
When the Hiladun family of Ballston Lake, New York, found out that their infant son, Will, had a rare form of cancer, the community pulled together to offer them support. When Will passed away his family and town were devastated, but the Hiladuns have since formed the Brave Will Foundation to help others whose children receive a similar diagnosis.
The family is currently planning the organization's first gala. The funds that the foundation generates will go toward other families with terminally ill children who are struggling to get by, according to the PostStar.com.
"I want to help a family because I'm so thankful for everybody who helped our entire family," Tammy Hiladun told the news source. "Fighting cancer, living in a hospital, even with all the incredible help from people, it's very expensive for a family."
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), pediatric cancers are the leading cause of non-accidental death among U.S. children, and in 2008 more than 10,000 children were diagnosed with a form of the disease.
However, the mortality rates have declined over the past 30 years thanks in part to better treatment options. The NCI urges parents to have their children genetically tested to monitor their risk of illness.
There are a variety of resources available to provide information and support for cancer survivors and their families, including the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which accepts donations, as well as the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center.
When the Hiladun family of Ballston Lake, New York, found out that their infant son, Will, had a rare form of cancer, the community pulled together to offer them support. When Will passed away his family and town were devastated, but the Hiladuns have since formed the Brave Will Foundation to help others whose children receive a similar diagnosis.
The family is currently planning the organization's first gala. The funds that the foundation generates will go toward other families with terminally ill children who are struggling to get by, according to the PostStar.com.
"I want to help a family because I'm so thankful for everybody who helped our entire family," Tammy Hiladun told the news source. "Fighting cancer, living in a hospital, even with all the incredible help from people, it's very expensive for a family."
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), pediatric cancers are the leading cause of non-accidental death among U.S. children, and in 2008 more than 10,000 children were diagnosed with a form of the disease.
However, the mortality rates have declined over the past 30 years thanks in part to better treatment options. The NCI urges parents to have their children genetically tested to monitor their risk of illness.
There are a variety of resources available to provide information and support for cancer survivors and their families, including the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which accepts donations, as well as the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center.
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