The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation has announced the winners of the 2011 Andre Sobel Award for Survivors of Pediatric Cancer and other Illnesses. Now in its tenth year, the Award invites teens who have survived serious illness to share their stories so that friends, family and others experiencing serious health challenges may learn from their experiences. In highly personal, wise, humorous and sometimes searing essays, teens reflect on how illness has changed their relationships, their outlooks and their lives.

1. Y ou A re
era ld &
atie Fitzg
K Cole man
Mira nda
inner
2011 el
ace W
b
re So
st Pl
And ard
Aw
Fir

2. A bo ut
Katie
and
Miranda
have
been
best
friends
for
8
years.
During
this
time,
Katie
has
had
to
battle
cancer,
chemotherapy
and
a
relapse.
It
has
been
a
long
journey,
but
since
April
2011,
she
is
now
in
remission.
Katie
and
Miranda
both
reside
in
Washington
and
attend
Green
River
Community
College.
Katie
is
working
on
general
education
and
is
thinking
about
going
pre-­‐med,
while
Miranda
is
focusing
on
general
education.
Both
girls
are
baristas
at
Starbucks.
Katie
enjoys
reading,
while
Miranda
coaches
a
girls’
soccer
team
in
her
free
time.
Katie
and
Miranda
collaborated
on
their
pieces
together
and
came
up
with
a
unique
way
to
document
their
fear,
struggles,
humor
and
what
they
needed
from
each
other
through
that
dark
time.
They
are
both
grateful
to
have
each
other
and
their
unbreakable
bond
that
they
as
best
friends
only
know.
Katie
and
Miranda
both
plan
on
using
the
award
to
help
fund
their
education.

3. Es say
Radio
Host
for
a
Day
Segment
1-­‐
• Introduction:
o Hi,
my
name
is
Katie
Fitzgerald,
and
I
am
taking
over
92.5
KMF
radio
for
an
educational
and
exclusive
inside
look
to
the
life
of
cancer
patients.
I
was
diagnosed
with
Hodgkin's
Lymphoma
when
I
was
16.
I
have
been
through
2
relapses,
13
rounds
of
chemo,
41
radiation
treatments
and
a
stem
cell
transplant.
Today
we'll
be
playing
songs
and
answering
viewer's
questions
that
deal
with
cancer.
Let's
get
started!
• Question:
Caller
named
Roy
was
just
diagnosed
and
hasn't
told
anyone,
"How
did
you
tell
people
after
you
found
out?"
o I
waited
until
the
last
minute
before
I
trusted
anyone
with
my
diagnosis.
It
wasn't
up
I
went
from
long
hair
to
short
hair
that
I
told
people.
After
the
initial
new
hairdo
change,
they
would
expect
all
of
to
be
gone
and
it
provided
me
a
way
to
reach
out
to
others
and
let
them
know.
I
needed
someone
to
tell
me
how
to
let
everyone
around
me
know
about
my
situation.
I
waited
for
something
like
hair
loss
to
initiate
those
kinds
of
conversations.
• Song
Intermission:
o Why
Can't
we
be
Friends?-­‐
Smash
Mouth
o Upside
Down-­‐
Jack
Johnson
• Question:
Caller
named
Beth
just
lost
her
hair,
"How
did
you
handle
all
the
stares
in
public?"
o Honestly,
I
almost
had
to
be
coaxed
into
heading
out
in
to
the
world.
I
didn't
know
how
people
would
react
to
seeing
someone
actually
look
sick.
And
all
the
staring
was
enough
to
get
under
anyone's
skin.
I
started
taking
others
with
me
into
public
and
pretended
that
the
pity
look
held
in
everyone's
eyes
was
for
the
person
walking
with
me
and
not
trying
to
figure
out
what's
wrong
with
me.
But
something
you
could
try,
just
like
they
tell
performers,
just
picture
everyone
else
in
their
undergarments!
Or
think
of
how
they
would
look
without
hair...They
probably
wouldn't
look
nearly
as
cute
as
you!
• Song
Intermission:
o Strip
Me-­‐
Natasha
Bedingfield
o I
am-­‐
Hilary
Duff

4. Segment
2:
• Commercial:
o Nauseous?
And
do
you
want
to
forget
all
of
the
craziness
that
comes
with
cancer?
Well
do
we
have
a
prescription
for
you!
Ativan
will
be
your
new
best
friend.
Just
take
one
of
these
pills
before
every
meal
and
when
you
start
to
feel
sick
to
your
tummy.
It's
guaranteed
to
take
you
on
fun
ride
that
you
probably
won't
even
remember.
Warning:
take
only
when
needed
and
follow
doctor's
orders.
• Question:
Suzanne
is
currently
going
through
treatment,
"What
helped
you
the
most?"
o The
support
system
I
had
from
my
family
at
home
was
probably
the
biggest
help.
I
also
had
amazing
teachers
to
work
with
me
through
all
of
my
missed
assignments
and
lessons.
I
think
I
needed
someone
to
tell
me
to
reach
out
and
lean
on
all
the
people
around
me
who
weren't
afraid
of
how
all
the
treatments
were
affecting
me.
Learn
to
trust
people
and
don't
be
afraid
to
ask
for
help;
this
is
too
much
to
handle
alone.
• Song
Intermission:
o Live
it
Up-­‐
Lee
Dewyze
o Live
like
We're
Dying-­‐
Kris
Allen
• Question:
Zane
was
just
diagnosed,
"What
was
the
worst
part?"
o Oh
my!
The
first
thing
that
came
to
mind
was
the
feeling
of
hunger.
After
every
cycle
of
chemo
I
always
felt
hungry.
My
doctors
also
had
me
on
steroids
that
boosted
my
desire
for
food.
However,
the
constant
feeling
of
nausea
totally
killed
my
appetite.
Someone
needed
to
tell
me
to
stay
away
from
all
my
favorite
foods!
I
didn't
want
to
eat
my
favorite
comfort
foods
after
I
lost
a
few
of
them
during
treatment.
• Commercial:
o Are
you
looking
to
lose
a
few
extra
pounds?
The
only
thing
standing
between
you
and
a
new
body
is
a
cancer
diagnosis!
Spending
a
few
months
in
the
hospital
on
a
strict
regimen
of
toxic
poisons
is
a
sure
fire
way
to
jumpstart
a
new
you.
Did
I
mention
the
added
bonus
of
the
delicious
tastings
of
the
hospital's
cafeteria
food?
We
just
want
to
make
your
diet
is
as
pleasant
as
possible.
Nothing
will
make
you
feel
better
while
you're
nauseous
like
the
scrumptious
recipes
of
the
cafeteria.
Lucky
for
you,
this
new
diet
is
just
a
phone
call
away!
Please
call
1-­‐800-­‐CancerBody
for
details.
• Song
Intermission:
o Apologize-­‐
One
Republic
o Skin
(Sara
Beth)-­‐
Rascal
Flatts
Segment
3:

5. • Commercial:
o Are
you
tired
of
making
a
mess
every
time
you
have
a
last
minute
urge
to
purge
your
latest
meal?
Well
with
this
new
pink
"Chuck"
bucket,
you'll
be
left
with
only
a
single
mess
to
clean
up!
"Chuck"
can
travel
with
you
in
the
car,
to
your
cozy
spot
on
the
couch
and
even
sleep
next
to
you
in
bed!
This
handy,
made-­‐to-­‐go-­‐
anywhere
companion
is
there
to
help
you
throughout
any
last
minute
accidents;
guaranteed.
• Question:
A
cancer
researcher
wants
to
know,
"What
did
you
need
the
most
from
the
doctors?"
o I
really
needed
the
doctors
to
tell
me
reassure
me
and
keep
my
confidence
up
with
the
treatment.
They
did
an
amazing
job
though.
I
always
had
all
the
meds
I
needed
and
they
answered
the
millions
of
questions
I
asked.
I
felt
very
comfortable
with
them,
and
that
was
very
important
to
me.
All
throughout
treatments,
I
never
felt
in
the
dark
about
anything,
I
was
informed
with
an
idea
of
what
to
expect.
• Song
Intermission:
o Lean
on
Me-­‐
Bill
Withers
o How
to
Save
a
Life-­‐
The
Fray
• Question:
Caller
Justin
has
just
relapsed
and
asks,
"How
did
you
handle
your
relapse?"
o I
didn't
even
know
how
to
handle
having
to
go
through
everything
all
over
again.
For
a
brief
moment,
I
was
so
terrified
life
was
over
for
me.
I
wish
there
was
someone
who
could've
told
me
that
things
were
going
to
be
ok.
I
needed
reassurance
and
support
from
all
of
my
loved
ones
and
close
friends.
The
treatment
was
more
demanding,
but
having
knowledge
of
what
to
expect
from
chemo
and
all
the
side
effects,
the
treatment
process
runs
a
little
more
smoothly.
• Song
Intermission:
o Here
it
Goes
Again-­‐
Ok
go
o Breathe-­‐
Ryan
Star
Segment
4:
• Commercial:
o Attention!
All
chemo
patients-­‐
a
new
hospital
gown
had
just
been
released
to
replace
the
boring,
everyday
attire
worn
by
civilians.
And
if
that's
not
enough,
we'll
help
you
stand
out
in
the
hospital
by
allowing
you
to
give
every
passer-­‐
by
the
potential
for
a
free
peep-­‐show!
So,
let's
shed
those
boring
attires
for
the
new
much
needed
designer
gowns.
• Question:
Rhonda's
son
was
just
diagnosed,
"What
did
you
need
most
from
those
around
you?"
o I
needed
everyone
around
me
to
keep
some
sense
of
normalcy
in
my
life.
I
know
they
were
struggling
with
my
diagnosis,
but
I
really
needed
them
to
stop
treating

6. me
differently.
I
was
still
the
same
exact
person
they
knew
me
to
be
and
I
just
wanted
to
be
treated
as
a
normal
human
being
just
like
everyone
else.
I
already
had
pity
and
curious
looks
from
the
rest
of
the
world
everywhere
I
went.
I
just
needed
a
safe
place
and
security
from
my
family
that
I
wasn't
some
fragile
thing
that
could
break
at
any
second.
I
craved
a
normal
environment
where
I
wasn't
being
looked
at
like
a
spectacle,
and
they
did
they
best
they
could
to
provide
one.
• Song
Intermission:
o Love
Me
to
Pieces-­‐
Erik
Hassle
o I
Won't
Let
Go-­‐
Rascal
Flatts
• Question:
Ethan
is
a
cancer
survivor
and
had
many
different
reactions
to
different
foods,
"What
was
the
worst
food
reaction
you
came
across?"
o I
think
the
worst
food
group
for
me
was
dairy!
I
wish
my
mom
would've
reminded
me
before
a
glass
of
milk
or
super
cheesy
quesadilla
that
after
dairy
has
had
a
chance
to
digest
it
is
sour
and
utterly
disgusting
when
it
comes
back
up
on
you.
I
needed
a
list
of
foods
to
avoid,
that's
for
sure.
Like
I
made
mention
earlier,
your
favorite
foods
or
foods
you
just
couldn't
live
without
I
would
recommend
skipping
them
completely.
Another
big
iffy
area
for
me
was
smells.
Smell
association
was
awful
for
me.
I
used
gum,
mints,
and
other
hard
candies
to
mask
the
taste
of
saline
but
the
smell
of
anything
spearmint
afterward
caused
almost
instant
nausea.
I
would
just
give
a
warning
saying
that
anything
you
may
be
a
fan
of
could
come
back
to
haunt
you
if
you
aren't
careful!
• Song
Intermission:
o Survivior-­‐
Destiny's
Child
o Stronger-­‐
Kanye
West
Segment
5:
• Commercial:
o Going
through
chemo?
Have
you
reached
the
point
where
it's
time
to
cover
your
new
do?
I
have
just
the
thing!
Replace
your
hair
with
different
colored
head
scarves
that
match
any
outfit.
Nothing
says
fashion
like
these
new
hair
replacements...after
all,
it's
not
your
fault
you
have
a
new
shiny,
soft
head.
• A
Final
Note:
o I
thought
I
would
conclude
your
day
with
me
by
offering
a
few
helpful
hints!
1. Don't
be
stubborn
or
afraid
to
ask
for
help!
People
are
willing
to
help
and
you
just
need
to
let
them.
Those
closest
to
you
are
dealing
with
and
going
through
a
lot
of
what
you
are,
so
allow
them
to
help
you.
2. Don't
be
afraid
to
take
medication.
I
was
one
of
the
worst
to
wait
until
it
was
too
late
to
take
something
for
my
nausea.
I
would
always
regret
it
to,
because
I
hated
throwing
up
more
than
anything.

7. 3. Sleep
is
so
important.
Get
as
much
sleep
as
you
can
so
you
have
the
most
energy
throughout
your
days.
Rest
is
so
important
for
the
body
to
heal.
Going
through
treatment
sends
your
body
to
hell
and
back.
Even
work
in
a
little
exercise
here
and
there.
When
you're
tired
or
not
feeling
well
just
rest,
you'll
need
all
the
help
you
can
to
keep
your
energy
up.
o Thanks
for
spending
the
day
with
me
on
92.5
KMF
Radio!
I
hope
all
of
you
with
lives
that
have
been
affected
by
cancer
continue
to
reach
out
to
support
and
educate
the
rest
of
America.
We
will
find
a
cure
one
day!

8. Dear
Katie,
It's
been
almost
4
months
since
your
last
treatment.
I
think
we
should
agree
that
you
can't
get
cancer
again.
Or
maybe
next
time
you
could
give
me
a
heads
up
so
I
have
some
time
to
prepare.
I'm
just
messing
with
you.
Looking
back
I
honestly
don't
know
how
we
made
it
through.
There
were
so
many
things
I
didn't
know
and
had
to
learn
about
Cancer,
you,
and
even
myself.
You've
always
been
curious
about
what
it
is
like
to
be
on
the
outside
looking
in
so
I
made
you
a
few
lists.
I
think
these
lists
will
help
you
understand
what
it
is
like
to
be
the
sidekick.
"What
I
Needed
To
Know"
• The
Basics:
o I
needed
to
understand
that
cancer
is
bad.
It
will
suck
the
life
right
out
of
you
with
a
little
help
from
some
chemo.
o Chemo
is
like
a
Sour
Patch
Kid...it's
sour
and
then
sweet;
it
will
kill
you
before
it
helps
you.
o Chemo
is
an
easy
process.
It
is
just
an
IV.
I
assumed
there
would
be
someone
in
a
lab
coat
with
an
evil
laugh,
armed
with
a
syringe,
scalpel,
numerous
needles,
big
instruments,
and
other
dangerous
items.
I
was
a
little
off.
o Doctors
don't
care
about
your
sleep
or
mine.
I'm
sure
they
live
by
the
rule,
"I'm
awake,
so
you're
awake."
o Hospital
food
is
more
dangerous
than
chemo.
I'm
just
kidding.
But
it
was
horrific
and
my
stomach
hated
me
for
quite
some
time,
consider
yourself
lucky
that
you
didn't
have
much
of
an
appetite.
o There
is
no
such
thing
as
comfort
in
a
hospital.
The
beds
are
not
comfortable.
The
chairs
are
not
comfortable.
Nothing
is
comfortable.
o All
the
entertainment
in
the
world
such
as,
Facebook,
the
Wii,
Spongebob,
iPod
apps,
Angry
Birds,
How
to
Train
your
Dragon,
or
any
other
source
of
entertainment-­‐
will
not
be
enough
to
overcome
the
boredom.
o It
is
good
to
know
what
each
medicine
is
and
the
last
time
you
took
it
because
the
last
thing
we
need
is
the
cancer
patient
overdosing
on
her
cancer
meds.
o Bring
multiple
articles
of
clothing
to
the
hospital
with
me...accidents
happen
often.
• Specific
Things
About
You:
o You
don't
tell
people
when
you
are
going
to
get
sick
so
I
always
got
a
nice
little
random
surprise,
like
when
driving
or
in
the
middle
of
the
night.
o You
make
a
face
when
you
start
to
feel
sick.
It
took
me
a
while
to
learn
this
one
but
once
I
did,
it
made
it
easier
to
predict
the
next
surprise.
o I
will
need
to
know
where
"Chuck,"
your
pink
throw
up
bucket,
is
at
all
times.
o You
don't
like
to
be
touched,
held,
or
comforted
when
you
don't
feel
well.
o Although,
if
I
start
talking
about
random
statistics
like,
a
ducks
quack
doesn't
echo,
you're
less
likely
to
get
sick.
o You
don't
eat
on
the
days
you
have
to
go
to
the
hospital
but,
if
you
do
eat,
it
will
come
back
up
shortly.

9. o Certain
smells
make
you
sick.
Spearmint
gum
is
the
best
example.
• How
Cancer
Will
Affect
You:
o Chemo
will
make
you
weak.
It
will
take
all
of
your
energy.
It
will
kick
your
butt
and,
ironically
enough,
eventually
save
it
too.
o You
will
look
ghostly.
Your
eyes
will
get
darker
and
sunken
in,
your
skin
will
change
colors,
and
you
will
lose
your
hair.
o Your
confidence,
faith,
strength,
will,
and
attitude
will
be
tested
and
need
to
be
built
up
with
positivity
every
day.
o At
first
you
will
hate
leaving
the
house.
It
will
take
some
pushing
to
get
you
into
public.
o There
will
come
a
time
when
you
won't
be
able
to
speak
because
of
all
the
drugs,
I
just
have
to
tell
be
silent
with
you.
Communication
will
be
through
the
eyes,
sense
of
touch,
and
of
course
text
messaging.
o You
will
hardly
remember
any
of
this.
The
drugs
they
give
you
such
as
Ativan
and
Morphine
will
help
you
feel
like
it
was
more
a
dream
than
reality.
o You
will
be
bitter.
o You
will
cry
frequently
out
of
frustration,
sadness,
and
helplessness.
Don't
worry
I
know
to
keep
tissues.
o Your
nose
will
bleed
astronomical
amounts
of
blood.
o You
will
be
fragile.
I
have
to
be
careful
not
to
squeeze
you
to
death,
literally.
o Your
strength
and
willpower
will
prevail
even
if
at
times
I
doubt
it.
o Cancer
will
weaken
you
physically,
mentally,
and
emotionally.
But
when
you
are
cured
you
will
be
better,
stronger,
a
fighter,
and
more
importantly
a
survivor.
You
will
have
the
strength
to
overcome
any
obstacle.
• What
To
Know
For
Myself:
o I
am
not
the
cure.
o Cancer
will
take
away
every
aspect
of
my
best
friend.
You
won't
remember
most
of
the
conversations
we
had,
your
actions,
or
the
things
we
did.
You
won't
be
able
to
really
listen
to
my
problems
or
give
me
advice.
o It's
okay
to
cry,
be
frustrated,
question
everything,
feel
exhausted,
and
hopeless.
o I
will
doubt
my
own
strength,
my
relationships,
my
beliefs,
and
everything
else.
o I
will
be
extremely
protective
of
you.
o I
will
experience
a
deeper
level
of
fear
than
I
ever
thought
possible.
o When
I'm
frustrated
I
need
to
remember
how
much
I
love
you.
o I
will
need
to
remember
to
breathe,
relax,
and
calm
down.
o A
journal
and
iPod
will
be
my
best
friends.
Along
with
ice
cream
and
any
dollar
menu.
Well
my
lists
turned
out
a
little
longer
than
I
had
planned
but
you
should
be
able
to
understand
what
it
is
like
on
the
outside
looking
in.
I
just
wanted
to
let
you
know
that
I
admire
your
inner
strength,
your
will
to
persevere,
your
positivity,
and
your
overall
being.
I
couldn't
be
prouder
to
call
you
my
best
friend.
143

10. [1(I)
4(love)
3(you)]
Miranda