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Cancer that strikes a child does not affect just one person; it afflicts an entire family. The mission of Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation is to lift these families up and to strengthen them in their battle against this non-discriminating disease. It is our belief that by empowering these families with choices, hope, and opportunities, we can strengthen their fight against cancer.
As a foundation, we see a real need in the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill area for pediatric cancer–specific housing for families enduring lengthy outpatient visits, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Although there are wonderful options in each of these cities for families that require an affordable place to stay while their sick children are inpatients, similar housing options are not readily available for pediatric cancer outpatients. Children enduring long outpatient treatment programs have dramatically different housing requirements because depleted immune systems, irregular sleep schedules, and rotten symptoms must be taken into consideration.
The Super ReCOOPERation House will provide apartment-style housing with the following pediatric cancer–focused amenities:
The establishment of the Super ReCOOPERation House will provide the underpinnings needed to extend support services to pediatric cancer families, both as guests and non-guests of the Super ReCOOPERation House. Services might include the following:
Cooper turned 2 years old on July 25, 2009. During the prior three months Cooper had sporadically complained that his neck hurt after he would do physical activities such as running, jumping or being tickled. He would complain about his neck but once he rested for a few seconds his neck pain would subside and off he would go!
Elise and her motherly instinct continued to monitor him closely and took him to the pediatrician and a number of specialists in an attempt to figure out the issue. During an MRI they found a tumor on the base of Cooper’s brain approximately the size of a golf ball. Cooper was admitted to Duke University and had surgery on August 20, 2009. The surgery lasted nearly 12-hours from start to finish...and that’s just the beginning of the journey.
Over the past year, Cooper’s complex treatment plan has continued with regular MRIs, multiple hospitalizations and lengthy trips for radiation therapy in Boston. He continues to be an inspiration to many with his positive attitude, perseverance and contagious smile as he battles cancer. His family is making a lasting impact on other families dealing with similar hardships through Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation.
