JTS Memorial Luncheon Volunteer Casting Call

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Family Portrait Session GIVEAWAY!

Before pre-registration even begins for our Family Portraits at The 4th Annual JTS Memorial Luncheon you have a chance to win a session with Savannah Smith Photography.

Enter for your chance to win a mini portrait session at Samuel S. Lewis State Park on September 14th (you will have the first pick at available time slots) from 3 - 7 p.m.

How do I enter? Visit the form below and... 

• Tell us why this session is meaningful and important to you! When's the last time you updated your family portraits? Maybe you've never had professional photos taken... we want to know!
• "LIKE" The Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation on Facebook
• "LIKE" Savannah Smith Photography on Facebook
• "Follow" The Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation on Twitter 

One winner will be chosen randomly on Friday, August 16th and announced on The Jedediah Thomas Smith Facebook page and Savannah Smith Photography's Facebook Page.

It will be the responsibility of the winner to contact jtsfoundation@gmail.com to claim their prize within 48 hours. If the winner does not contact JTSF, another winner will be chosen at random.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! 

Congratulations to Tammy Golden! You are the winner of a Family Portrait Session with Savannah Smith Photography and an 8x10 print.

For those who did not win but are still interested in participating in this awesome fundraiser, registration will open to the public at the 4th Annual JTS Memorial Luncheon on August 24th and then online on Tuesday August 27th. Sessions are $25 and 100% of the proceeds benefit the fight against childhood cancer. 

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JTSF Rockstar | Trent Golden (July)

Trent lives in York, Pennsylvania with his loving parents Tammy and Mark and his little brother Mickael. Tammy was pregnant with Mickael during Trent’s treatments and for that, she wins a special awesome Cancer Mom award! With one child upstairs on the pediatric Hem/Onc wing, Tammy headed downstairs to maternity to give birth to the newest member of the Golden Family! They are all happy, healthy and celebrating 7 years since Trent’s last chemotherapy treatment this month! - JTSF 

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Written by Tammy Golden, Trent’s Mom

My son, Trent, is a kind and loving 14-year-old.  He loves his family, friends and the life he lives.  Even though he has been pricked by needles since the age of 4, he still hates them. There’s no need for us to worry about him getting any piercings or tattoos.

He started swimming while being treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia and has continued love this sport. He will be joining the high school swim team in the fall of 2013. Trent will be celebrating seven years since his last treatment for his cancer in July 2013 (this month). He was deemed cured of his Leukemia in May of 2011.

Trent loves vacationing in Florida – mostly St. Augustine and Disney. But who wouldn’t? He loves all things Penn State and his involvement in The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). 

At age 4, Trent became very sick while we were on vacation in Florida. He was admitted to the hospital while we were there and we were told he had Scarlet Fever.  From March of 2003 until May 22, 2003, Trent was constantly battling fevers.  Finally, on May 18th, Trent - again - had a fever that included terrible leg pain.  After x-rays and blood work, our pediatrician sent us to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.  After one more blood drawl, Trent was diagnosed with ALL.

Acute Lymphocytic (or lymphoblastic) Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells where malignant white blood cells are continuously over-reproduced by the bone marrow. These cancerous white blood cells then infiltrate other organs and organ systems causing damage and death to normal cells.

Trent was immediately admitted to the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital to start treatment. During his three years of treatment he had bone marrow aspirations, x-rays, blood drawls, spinal taps, platelet transfusions, blood transfusions, echocardiograms, MRI’s, chemotherapy and IVIG therapy.

Because Trent was diagnosed at age four, he very rarely complained and always kept a smile on his face, even at the worst of times.  Sometimes he fought us, his nurses and his doctors, but I think it was because he wanted to remain brave. He also wanted everyone to know he was going to have some say about what was being done to him. 

It was very rare to see Trent without a smile on his face.  I think, even at the age of four, he knew part of winning the battle would need to include a positive attitude.  Yes, Trent had cancer, but cancer never had him.  He is the reason we survived as a family.

Trent was a participant in a clinical trial, and we know that informational gathered from his trial during his treatment has been used to improve treatment plans for children now and in the future.  We always stand behind the research and hope that because of the information collected from his treatment, Trent will continue to live his regular, normal life not even realizing everyday, he plays a part in curing other children diagnosed with ALL.

Trent's laid back attitude not only helped him during his treatment, but has also helped us, (as a family) deal with the daily worry and concerns we had during his treatment.  He doesn't see it in himself, but as a mother, I sit back and watch him and know that for the rest of his life he will be doing things that are going to change people for the better.  

As Trent develops into a young man, I know he will spend his life helping others.  As a mom, that feels pretty darn good!