Small steps and big steps

When Jack Maurer started kindergarten this year, he took what is normally considered a big step in the journey through childhood. But actually, kindergarten could be considered a small step for Jack based on what he’s been through in his young life.

You see, Jack was diagnosed in April 2007 at Children’s Medical Center with Wilms’ tumor. He was operated on the next day. Thanks to the expertise of doctors at Children’s with this particular form of cancer, during 5-1/2 hours of surgery, Dr. Michael Skinner and an oncology surgical team removed a 6-pound tumor, Jack’s right kidney, his adrenal gland and his ureter.

After that, he went through 19 weeks of chemotherapy and follow-up for two years. In August 2009, Jack and his family celebrated two years of him being cancer free, a huge step. He had his last six-month appointment with his primary oncologist, Dr. Tim McCavit, on Sept. 18.

Jack, now 5-1/2, loves kindergarten and has made the transition well from pre-school, said his mom, Amy Maurer. After that, it’s on to first grade.

Jack’s about to take another step in his journey. He’s entering the After the Cancer Experience (ACE) Program at Children’s.

ACE is sponsoring a conference to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Children’s Medical Center designed for childhood cancer survivors, families and anyone affected by childhood cancer. You can also follow the ACE Program on Facebook.