See How They Thrive!
About BeholdBeGold
Mission
To empower and support childhood cancer survivors facing the late effects of treatment through education, advocacy, community connection, and survivor-centered resources.
How We Support Survivors
BeholdBeGold provides comprehensive resources, advocacy, and a supportive community through both online and offline initiatives. Through this work, we create spaces for survivors to connect, thrive, and share their experiences.
We focus on education, policy efforts, community partnerships, resource referrals, peer support, research funding, and awareness campaigns. Through these efforts, we aim to celebrate, support, and empower survivors to lead fulfilling lives beyond cancer treatment.
Vision
BeholdBeGold envisions a world where childhood cancer survivors are not only celebrated and supported, but also informed and empowered to lead fulfilling lives beyond treatment. We strive for a future with greater awareness, understanding, and action around long-term and late effects, where every survivor is recognized for their strength, provided with meaningful resources, and inspired to thrive beyond their cancer journey.
Through the Lens of BeholdBeGold: A Visual Journey
Why Speak Up For Childhood Cancer and Late Effects?
What most people don’t realize is that surviving childhood cancer doesn’t mean the battle is over. Being “cancer-free” is only part of the journey. Childhood cancer is a lifelong diagnosis, and survivors must endure the late effects of treatment, which can become significant barriers in our lives. These late effects can hinder our ability to achieve many life goals such as education, career, independent living, and forming a family.
Even after being declared "cancer-free," survivors live with these late effects, facing tremendous challenges. Yet, we continue to move forward, reminding ourselves that we have conquered the biggest battle of all—childhood cancer. This resilience inspired the creation of BeholdBeGold, a platform dedicated to shedding light on the ongoing struggles of childhood cancer survivors.
Life can be incredibly difficult after survivorship, but by sharing our stories and journeys through BeholdBeGold, we hope to show that no one is alone.
We are all in this together.
Through BeholdBeGold, you will learn about my own childhood cancer journey as the founder and gain insights into the experiences of other survivors. You will find information about childhood cancer facts, research, statistics, and the ways you can support the cause. Additionally, we focus on educating about the late effects of childhood cancer treatments, how they impact our lives long after treatment ends, and the ongoing challenges we face. Our goal is to raise awareness, provide support, and inspire action.
Thank you for being part of this community. Behold and Be Gold!
"If you have a voice, you have the privilege of using that voice for change" -Cameron Boyce
Types of Childhood Cancer Late Effects
Organ or Body Function
- Heart and blood vessel late effects are more likely to occur after treatment for certain childhood cancers.
- Radiation to the chest and certain types of chemotherapy increase the risk of heart and blood vessel late effects.
- Late effects that affect the heart and blood vessels may cause certain health problems.
- Certain cancer treatments can affect the lungs.
- Lung problems can occur in children who have had radiation therapy to the chest or total body irradiation.
- The risk of problems depends on the dose of radiation, how much of the lungs get radiation, and the age of the patient.
- Bone and joint late effects are more likely to occur after treatment for certain childhood cancers.
- Radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments increase the risk of bone and joint late effects.
- Amputation or limb-sparing surgery to remove the cancer and prevent it from coming back may cause late effects depending on where the tumor was, age of the patient, and type of surgery.
Growth and Physical Development
- Growth, development, and hormone problems. Cancer treatments may affect the glands that make hormones. These glands are a part of the endocrine system and control many body functions, such as growth, metabolism, and puberty.
- Radiation therapy near the brain, eyes, or ears. This can affect the pituitary gland. Children who have had radiation therapy to these areas before reaching their adult height may have problems with growth.
- Radiation therapy to the muscles, bones, and soft tissues. This can lead to reduced or uneven growth of body parts. For example, it can lead to a curved spine called scoliosis.
- Some cancer treatments can damage the testes or ovaries (reproductive organs). This can lead to temporary or permanent infertility (not being able to have children).
- Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery all can have lasting effects on reproductive health.
- A child's risk depends on their diagnosis, the type of treatment, and the dose of medicine. But even then, doctors can't say for sure what the lasting effects will be.
- Some childhood cancer treatments can increase the risk for dental problems.
- Cancer treatments that can cause dental problems include Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Azathioprine, sometimes given to patients as part of a hematopoietic cell transplant (also known as bone marrow or stem cell transplant)
- Because teeth develop slowly, these problems are more likely to develop in people who received chemotherapy over a prolonged period (several years) during childhood.
Central Nervous System
- Brain and spinal cord late effects are more likely to occur after treatment for certain childhood cancers.
- Children treated for brain tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are more likely to be affected due to the therapies used to treat these cancers. However, cognitive problems have been identified in survivors of other cancers as well.
- Radiation to the brain increases the risk of brain and spinal cord late effects.
- Late effects that affect the brain and spinal cord may cause certain health problems.
- Possible signs and symptoms of brain and spinal cord late effects include headaches, loss of coordination, and seizures.
- Survivors may also have late effects that affect thinking, learning, memory, emotions, and behavior.
- Some cognitive changes are temporary, while others may be long-lasting.
- Children with cognitive late effects are more likely to have problems in school and have lower academic achievement. They are also more likely to have trouble with employment, independent living, and development of social relations.
Psychosocial
- Fear and Anxiety
- Depression
- Isolation
- Decreased Coping
- Low Self-Esteem and Lack of Confidence
- PTSD
- Survivors Guilt
- Intact Coping Strategies
- Sense of Self
- Benefit Finding
- Confidence and Self Esteem