JTSF Rockstar | Colby Hoch (June)

Written by Judy Hoch, Colby’s mom

Colby was a lot of fun. He loved to go fishing, camping and to the beach. He was fascinated with golf. In fact, he would pass time by watching golf on TV. He thought the golf hats the players would wear sometimes were pretty cool. Whenever we played miniature golf, he would never wait for us. Instead, he would just go on to the next holes because he didn't want to wait for us and because he liked playing so much!

Colby had such a beautiful smile and a wonderful personality. He would break out into a little dance with his feet when he was happy.  He liked to turn up the music real loud and dance in the kitchen if a good song came on. He really loved The Power Rangers, Spiderman, Batman, and Thomas the Train. He enjoyed arts and crafts, and cooking with mom and Katie. He also liked to play in the snow.

My son was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

Initially, we thought Colby had a virus because he had a fever at night and it would go down during the day. On the 2nd night he came into bed with us and we heard him make a noise when he was breathing. A chest x-ray was read and they told us it was pneumonia. Days into the antibiotic they had given him, he wasn't getting better, but instead he was getting worse.

Another x-ray showed it was not pneumonia. Colby was admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital and they discovered a tumor on his adrenal gland. They told us we could not be treated there. We had the choice to go to either CHOP or Hershey – we chose Hershey.

Colby received six months of chemotherapy at Hershey. We were home only 21 days total during that time. Between his 3^rd and 4^th treatment we flew to LA Children's Hospital to have his bone marrow harvested.

After the first six months at Hershey, we went to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to have his bone marrow transplant. That lasted six weeks. Thankfully for many families, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital now has the facilities and technology to do these transplants without sending patients to other hospitals. But when we were treated, that was not the case.

Within the next three months we had several admissions to CHOP when he became sick. After that, we returned to Hershey and the MIGB scans still showed tumor cells at his original tumor site. That was removed, and we did three months of Retin A treatments.

Colby did not eat for nine months after his transplant. He was hooked up to Hal & Lipids at night. It was a two-year journey of treating his cancer. Then he finally had six months where he was just a kid! He was going to preschool and living a fun kid life before he relapsed. Colby passed away less than a week and a half after his relapse. 

According to Colby: 

• No matter what you go through, don’t complain because there are people going through worse things than you. 
• Courage is being brave enough to do what you have to do even though you are scared to do it.
• When you are put in a bad situation, there will always be people there who help you through it and they will become lifelong friends and family to you for having been there for you.
• Always be helpful to others and treat them how you would want to be treated. 
• When you greet someone with a smile it will make a difference. 
• If you are stuck in the hospital for six weeks in a bone marrow transplant, a Power Ranger Sword hidden under your pillow sure does even the playing field when doctors and nurses keep coming in poking you! 
• Always look for the positive when you’re having a hard time finding it. It’s there – you just haven’t looked in the right place yet. It’s waiting for you to find it sometimes. 
• If you are thrown into a bad situation, do as Colby told us… make new friends! 
• When you pay attention to what is going on around you, the answers are usually right there. And when you realize that what you see going on around you could one day happen to you, try to be brave. If you are brave, you’ll help your mom and dad to be brave too.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, because that is how you learn. 
• Know the difference between your soul and the sole of your shoe. This is very important because your soul is what goes to heaven when your sole stays behind with your shoes (important Colby lesson learned!). Be sure you know what your soul is, and know the souls of those around you, so that one day you can all find each other. 

And when you know all that, it isn’t so hard to have courage to let yourself go on to the next journey in life.

I know when it's my time to cross over, Colby will be there waiting for me and it will be like we didn't miss a day apart. I will know his soul and he will know mine. We had a long talk about what your soul is and how it is everything that makes you "you", and how it would be easy to find each other knowing each other's souls like we do.

I hope that one day we find a cure for pediatric cancer. And we'll just do what we have to do to support those who are trying to find a cure. For the Kids! We are thankful for the blessings that came along the way during Colby's journey. 

- Judy Hoch (Colby’s Mom) 

And Judy we are thankful for you, Colby and your entire family! You’re an inspirational woman and Colby’s love and life continues to motivate and teach us new things. Thank you, love you! 

#JTSFCrabFeed

Calling all direct selling consultants and local business owners!

Are you a direct selling consultant? Do you own your own business?

Do you want to grow your business and also help fight childhood cancer at the same time? 

The Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation is looking to form an important and meaningful relationship with local direct selling consultants and local small business owners for our upcoming 4th Annual JTS Memorial Luncheon on August 24, 2013.

We recognize and know the importance of entrepreneurship and buying locally within our community.

This event, held annually in the fall, welcomes hundreds of community members to celebrate and remember families and children who are facing an unimaginable battle with childhood cancer. We feature live music, lunch, a raffle and silent auction and more to engage supporters in the fight for a cure. This event is as much about community awareness as it is about fundraising for us. If we can touch one life and explain the impact of childhood cancer, we have succeeded. In three years, our luncheon has raised over $40,000 and we hope to continue to raise the bar so we can always support local families and donate towards groundbreaking research.

Hosted by the fantastic people at the Great American Saloon in Red Lion, Pennsylvania the event offers a great opportunity to showcase your products and business to many local residents!

We are looking for some motivated and wonderful people to donate products or services for our large silent auction and raffle. As a donor, your business name will be featured on our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages leading up to and after the event. Your name will be included on signage throughout the event space and additionally you are encouraged to bring business cards or pamphlets to leave with your donation for guests to take.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we thank you and encourage you to reach out to Savannah or Kristin at jtsfoundation@gmail.com right away!

Our success in this fight means nothing without you. Please, join us today!

JTSF Rockstar | Bryan Weinsheimer (May)

We absolutely love all of our Rockstar’s and are blessed to have the opportunity to share their stories with all of you. This Rockstar has a special place in our hearts. His family means a lot to us and we are so proud of everything he accomplishes. 

Bryan Weinsheimer loves school and is a social butterfly. He likes to play soccer and enjoys riding his bike! He also loves the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) and anything related to Penn State! We were lucky to meet Bryan through THON a few years ago.

Bryan’s parents, Tiffany and Jack, live with their two boys, Bryan and Braydan, in Lancaster. Braydan is in 2^nd grade and loves dancing and soccer. He is an awesome little brother! 

During the summer of 2007 (Bryan was 6 years old at the time) the Weinsheimer’s went on vacation to the beach.  Bryan complained he didn’t feel well and didn’t want to do anything during the entire trip. When they returned home, he was still sick so they took him to their family doctor. He was diagnosed with a stomach bug and sent home with medication.   

After a few days of him not feeling any better, Bryan was taken back to the doctor but sent home with another diagnosis of migraines. A few days later he still was not feeling well so once again his parents took him back to the doctor.  This time the doctor looked into his eyes and thought that she was able to see some brain swelling.  He was then admitted to the local hospital for an MRI.

The night of the MRI at about 11:30 p.m., two doctors and a nurse came into the room and told the family that the results were in.  Bryan was diagnosed with a tumor in the middle of his brain that was the size of a golf ball.

Bryan was taken to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center that night via ambulance at 1:30 a.m.  When Bryan was in the ambulance, he asked the drivers where we were going.  They told him he was going to Hershey.  He said, “Wow! We are going to Hershey Park this late at night?”

Bryan was monitored all night and in the morning he was seen by the neurosurgeon.  He sent him for another MRI; this one was two hours long. Finally, after a biopsy it was confirmed that he had some cancerous cells in the tumor.

Two weeks later, Bryan was scheduled for brain surgery to remove the tumor.  This surgery was 10 hours long but because of the location of the tumor they were only able to remove 90%. He was in the PICU for two days following the surgery and three days later, Bryan came home. He was unable to walk and needed to be carried up the steps. He needed to go to therapy twice a day, three times a week. 

After receiving chemotherapy for three months, then another surgery to make sure that the entire tumor was gone, Bryan had six weeks of radiation therapy. Each day before school we would drive about 45 minutes one way for 16 minutes of radiation, then drive home so Bryan could attend kindergarten.

One of the last major steps in this process was the Gamma Knife surgery. Bryan had the Gamma Knife surgery, which is a high dose of radiation to blast the remainder of the tumor away.  This surgery was almost $250,000.

With all of the treatment and tests that Bryan had to and has to continue to go through, he remains positive.  He is a great big brother and always is willing to help someone out when they need it.

He remembers to keep his humor about a lot of the horrible things that he is going through. On April 8, 2013, Bryan celebrated a monumental five years cancer free! We are so very proud of him and can’t wait to see what is next for him! 

In the future, Bryan has plans to attend Penn State University and hopefully dance in THON to celebrate and honor other children fighting like he did.

On May 29^th, Bryan will celebrate his 12^th birthday! Happy Birthday Bryan! We love you! 

JTSF Yard Sale 2013

We are now accepting donations for our annual YARD SALE! 

Did you come across a lot of unwanted items when you were spring cleaning? Do you wish those items could find a new home (not in your home) while also helping a great cause? There is a way! 

Donate your unwanted items to the Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation's annual yard sale and we'll take care of the rest! 

To donate your items: contact us at jtsfoundation@gmail.com or message us on Facebook to arrange a drop-off time. If you're in the neighborhood you can leave items on our porch - please mark them with "yard sale" along with your full name, address and phone number so we can properly thank you! 

233 N. Charles St.
Red Lion, Pa 17356

If you have larger items or a large quantity of items, please contact us at jtsfoundation.com to schedule a drop off time at our storage unit.

Wanted items include: 

Household items: lamps, lamp shades, end tables, picture frames, mirrors, wall art, pillows, blankets/throws, books, vases, baskets, kitchen items of all kinds, decorative items, etc. 

Kids toys, baby swings, baby play sets, baby walkers, luggage, purses, belts, electronics and tools (in working order please), knickknacks and anything else you can think of! 

NO CLOTHES or LARGE TV's PLEASE!
Thank you! 

Sweet Frog | Fundraiser

Fundraiser Alert!

Do you have a sweet tooth? Stop by Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt Shop in East York TOMORROW (4/30) from 12 - 9 p.m. and 10% of your frozen treat will help fight childhood cancer if you mention us at checkout!


Where: Sweet Frog of East York (2071 Springwood Rd., York, PA)
When: Tuesday, April 30th from Noon - 9 p.m.
What: 10% of proceeds will benefit the fight against childhood cancer through The Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation
Don't Forget: To mention JTSF at checkout. Just say, "I am here to support The Jedediah Thomas Smith Foundation, thanks!"


We hope you'll bring your friends and enjoy a fruity or chocolatey treat for the fight!

JTSF Rockstar | Noah Mummert (April)

Noah is a pretty happy-go-lucky kid with lots of energy! He enjoys swimming, painting and playing video games. He also loves to cook and spend time with his brother, Ben, who is 16.

Besides a little acid reflux, Noah had been fairly healthy until shortly after potty training began. He was always constipated and complained of tummy pain! This continued after many doctor’s visits and a lot of MiraLAX.

One morning he woke up with a 102-degree fever and complaining of side pain. Noah was also and throwing up yellow bile. His pediatrician sent us to the emergency room where we waited many hours before they agreed to do a CT scan. Shortly after that we were rushed by ambulance to Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital where we told he had a mass on his left kidney that they suspected was a Wilms’ tumor. A biopsy the next day confirmed that the mass was a stage ruptured Wilms tumor.

Wilms’ tumor is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs most commonly in young children. The prognosis for Wilms' tumor is generally very good with the 5-year survival rate for patients around 90%. However, this prognosis depends highly on diagnosis, staging and treatment. 

Noah’s treatment started about one week after his diagnosis. It started a blood transfusion and then transitioned 6 weeks of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery. He then had the tumor and his one kidney removed. This surgery was followed by one week of radiation and 5 more months of chemotherapy.

Noah was such a trooper through all of his treatment! Considering everything he has gone through at such a young age, he has been such a good kid and he is always positive and upbeat.

As of May 2013, Noah will be two years cancer free and coming up on April 28^th, it has been two years since Noah’s last chemo treatment!

“My dream is that we can move past this part of our life as much as we can and use what we have learned to help fight for the rest of the kids going through or who will go through these nasty diseases!” – Noah’s mom Kathy