WEST MILFORD — Cancer is not an illness considered early on when a 20-month-old baby is ailing. Little Aaron Newton of Oak Ridge, and his parents, Kerrie and Scott, went through two months of doctor visits and trial and error attempts at improving his health. It wasn’t until Aaron underwent an ultrasound at Morristown Hospital that the terrifying diagnosis of Stage 2B Neuroblastoma was pronounced.
“They came back in the room and said ‘We found a tumor in your son and it looks like cancer.’ Your whole world falls apart,” Kerrie Newton said.
Dark days
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common of infantile cancers. There are over a dozen major types of childhood cancers and countless subtypes, each requiring specific research and treatment. Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes and more children succumb to cancer than all other childhood diseases combined. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in children, exceeded only by accidental deaths.
Today, at age four, Aaron is a healthy, happy little boy. But two years ago, the days were dark. From the hour of his ultrasound things moved quickly. Within two days he had surgery, after his parents were convinced it was the right course to take.
“Of course you want it out, but he’s your baby, he’s 20 months old,” Newton said.
His surgery went well but an intestinal complication required a second surgery a few days later. By the next evening, though, he was feeling good and scrambling around the room.
In all, the Newton family remained at Morristown for 12 days. Because of his age, Aaron had to be anesthetized for scans and nuclear and bone marrow tests. At this time, Newton was newly pregnant and was advised, due to the nuclear tests, to refrain from holding her little boy – a tough request for a mom wanting to comfort her child.
The good news came
When Aaron’s tests came back all clear, the Newtons went home. He eventually underwent a third surgery for scar tissue around his intestines but as time passed his test results remained good and the family could breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m pretty sure he was young enough that he doesn’t remember much of it. He’ll never understand why we are total maniacs,” his mom said.
At this point Aaron has no greater risk of developing cancer than anyone else and his parents are well aware of their blessings and thank God every day.
“It’s the absolute best we could hope for. He was so good, he’d cry a little but mostly took it all in stride," said Newton. "He taught us to be brave. We learned from our little baby.”
Newton spoke highly of the Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Morristown Hospital for making days bearable, “less a living hell.” The Valerie Fund, a not-for-profit organization, reports their mission is to “provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.” They provide medical care, counseling and emotional support to the child as well as the family.
Looking forward to help others
Today, Aaron attends pre-school. He loves gardening, his trucks, dinosaurs and books. His favorite things to do are to play in his barn house fort and ride around through the fields and trails on a four-wheeler with his dad in northern Vermont where his grandparents live.
Between Aaron and his sister, two-year-old Ashlyn, the days are busy at the Newton house. But Scott, 37, and Kerrie, 35, have become advocates, hoping to bring attention to childhood cancer and the need for more research and support.
Within the first hours of the first day of Aaron’s diagnosis, the Newtons knew the course of their lives had been altered. They knew they’d have to get through it. Now, they want to help other families.
“Something clicks. You have to make it better for others. We wound up completely blessed and we have to repay it somehow,” Newton said.
The Newtons hope that by speaking out, people will be encouraged to read, to learn more about childhood cancer and the need for more research and perhaps get behind the cause to encourage increased federal and organizational spending. As it now stands, only 4 percent of United States federal funding for cancer research is applied to childhood cancers.
Bringing awareness to childhood cancers
To that end, the Newtons, with the aid of their friend Councilman Lou Signorino, took their mission to the West Milford Town Council recently and received the full support of Mayor Bettina Bieri and the council. A proclamation naming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in West Milford was issued and a resolution regarding childhood cancer and its need for more funding and research was drawn up to be sent to state legislators, cancer organizations and near-by communities. There are gold ribbons all around town to remind residents of the cause.
Residents who wish to have their voices heard are encouraged to write to their legislators. Regarding donations, Newton suggests looking at the Web sites CureSearch.org or AlexsLemonade.org to “get their money where it needs to be.”
The Newtons hope that by shining a light on a seldom discussed issue, the course of childhood cancer research may be altered and other families will experience the happy outcome they have had.
“My hope for the future is for Aaron to grow up to be a totally normal adult with a scar on his belly,” Newton said, speaking proudly of her brave young son. “In all the hundreds of things that he’ll do, his bravery will stand out – and so will his smile.”