Local Pediatric Clinic Hosts Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Candlelight Vigil

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Aug 22 2017 3:06 PM

DOTHAN:  Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network will host Glow Gold, Wiregrass, a Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Angel of Hope in Dothan’s Westgate Park.    

Families, caregivers, charities and research groups across the United States observe September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. A diagnosis turns the lives of the entire family upside down. The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivorship issues, and – importantly – to help raise funds for research and family support.

When Angie Adams of Dothan sat by the bedside of her son, Wesley Dunchof, as he battled Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia over a decade ago, she needed hope.  She needed stories of survival, promising treatments on the horizon, and a cure right around the corner.  When standard chemo treatments were unsuccessful, Wesley agreed to several clinical trials at MDA in Houston, Texas undergoing experimental treatments which may or may not have benefitted him, but might one day save someone else.  Aware of the extra blood draws, bone marrow biopsies, and spinal taps, he willingly agreed in the hope of survival. 

“After a 10-month battle, Wesley’s disease progressed despite the intense treatments he endured and it was time to return home to Dothan.  Knowing his fate, Wesley commented that he hoped something he had done would indeed save someone else’s life,” said Adams.  Wesley Dunchof lost his battle to cancer on August 28, 2005 just as Hurricane Katrina was making landfall.

 “Families across the Wiregrass have resolved to fight for a cure.  It’s worth every minute put into planning events, every plea for community support, and every effort to increase awareness of childhood cancer,” said Alicia Hayes whose son, Cody, died in June of 2014 after being diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. “Awareness leads to funding, funding leads to research, research leads to a cure. We need a cure.”

Caring for the medical needs of children in the Wiregrass region has been the mission of Dothan Pediatric Clinic since being founded in 1953 by Dr. William Lies, III.  Partnering with Dothan Pediatric Clinic for this event are TriState Graphics and Miles of Flowers. 

“This event will allow us to support and help strengthen families battling childhood cancer.  Plus, it will allow all of us to honor the children who lost their battle to cancer,” said Dr. Michael Ramsey, pediatrician, shareholder, and current medical director for Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network.

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