Karters Cancer Crusade

Karters Cancer Crusade it is important to me that the battles fought by brave kids fighting DIPG/Childhood are acknowledged Welcome to Karter's Cancer Crusade. He is our hero! Why not?
(7)

We would like to introduce the world to our kind, loving, happy, sassy 5 year old only child, Karter. He is braver and stronger than most adults. Unfortunately he is also fighting for his life. On July 26/22 he was diagnosed with a terminal DIPG tumor. This is the day that our world was turned upside down and absolutely destroyed. DIPG is an inoperable and untreatable tumor on the PONS in the BRAINSTEM. We were not even aware that there was such a thing prior to diagnosis and have since been forced to realize that most have not heard of this terrible, destructive, fast moving, aggressive and deadly cancer. We want to change this. We want to change the stigma and taboo associated with discussing these very difficult subjects. We have discovered that DIPG and other childhood cancers receive single digits of all funding compared to adult cancers and DIPG receives even less. We understand how difficult, uncomfortable and disheartening talking about DIPG and Childhood Cancers can be. We understand how sad, heartbreaking and incomprehensible this subject can be however we need to change this. Hundreds of thousands of children and their families, and more, face DIPG annually and more cases are being diagnosed every day. Even more face other Childhood Cancers every year. We do not hear about DIPG or Childhood Cancers in the media, on social media and often not even in medical journals. We do not see a sea of Gold and Grey in every store, office, corporation, bank, government establishment or on every billboard, not even in September which is designated as Childhood Cancer month or on May 17, DIPG day. What can be more important than saving our children? Childhood cancer is a very sad and difficult topic to discuss. It is uncomfortable and incomprehensible because of the circumstances and reality involved. We really do get it! However we also understand that we must change the stigma and taboo surrounding this topic. We need to create the conversation. We need to change the conversation. We need to do better for the children facing this monster. We need to find treatments and cures! We are usually private people however we have been forced to re-evaluate and adjust our lives in ways we never thought we would. It is dumbfounding that in 2022 we are unable to talk about childhood cancers and even more mindboggling to learn that funding for childhood cancers and advancements have pretty much stagnated for decades. We want to make the public aware that Childhood Cancer and DIPG are very real and grossly underfunded and underrecognized. We want to change the conversation and promote funding and advancements in DIPG and all other Childhood Cancers. We invite you to join us on this life changing journey.

02/15/2026

🎗️🗺️Today is International Childhood Cancer Day.
Meet Keontae ‘TaeTae’.
Keontae had just turned 4 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2023.
He was originally thought to have a cold or the flu, and then possibly cellulitis of the eye or an ear infection. But this all changed when he was found to have Stage 4, Group 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma.
The cancer began in his prostate area (the first tumor), spread up his spine (the second tumor), and reached his skull and brain, where it affected his optic nerve (the third tumor). Doctors said all of this happened within just a few months.
Keontae immediately began chemotherapy and radiation on September 29, 2023, with a treatment plan spanning 54 weeks. He completed chemo and two different rounds of radiation on August 27, 2024. 💔 Sadly, Keontae lost his vision due to the cancer. In a devastating turn, Keontae relapsed this past May. The cancer had returned aggressively, spreading to his lungs, bones, and spine. He also had a lymph node pressing against a nerve that was capable of causing paralysis. Over a month ago, doctors gave him just five days to live. He surpassed those predictions and he was able to celebrate turning 6 years old and fulfill his dreams of making a song called Keontae’s Last Wish.

02/15/2026

🎗️🗺️Today is International Childhood Cancer Day.
Meet Aaron! Towards the end of the 2022 school year, Aaron had been experiencing headaches, & his mom noticed a small bump forming on his gums. It was first thought to be a wart or cyst. One day he came home with his cheek being the size of a golf ball! The lump had taken over the entire right side of his face. It wasn’t until July that he was officially diagnosed with stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma. He began chemo & sadly this did not work for him. Aaron then underwent intense facial radiation. By June 2023, it was found that the radiation had killed 80% of the tumor! But in his moms own words, it also “killed his face.” In July, Aaron underwent a 14 hour surgery where doctors had to take out half of his teeth. Then, using parts of his calf bone, other leg tissue & veins out of his legs, doctors reconstructed a new facial palette. Aaron was thought to finally be in the clear & was starting his freshman year of high school. Sadly by august, his mom noticed that the bumps came back. Doctors did not believe it was the cancer & his mom had to push for them to check. It was tragically found in September that only one month after his major surgery, the cancer had returned. Aaron began an alk pill & different natural remedies, allowing him to have the best 9th grade experience. Heartbreakingly, by May of 2024, the cancer rapidly returned to the right side of his neck, spreading upwards.. As a result, by December of the same year, the veins were starting to burst in his face as his skin couldn’t grow over the tumors due to the new veins that were placed there during surgery. The tumor continued to grow, taking up his neck, face, & ear. By February 2025, the cancer was progressing & he could no longer stay awake. He took his last breath on March 15th, 2025, at the age of 16. His 17th birthday is coming up & it’ll be the first one he spends in heaven💔Aaron had so many goals including wanting to become a robotics engineer💔

02/15/2026
02/15/2026

Address

Edmonton, AB

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Karters Cancer Crusade posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category