Editor's Note: September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we appreciate the Cadenhead family for sharing their experience so readers can learn more about this issue. 

CRESTVIEW — Cancer treatments have improved so much in 50 years that the "c" word doesn't have to signal death.   

For instance, in the 1960s, less than 10 percent of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia survived, according to the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

ALL — the most common childhood cancer — occurs when bone marrow makes too many immature white blood cells that prevent healthier agents from fighting infections.

Today, ALL's survival rate is more than 90 percent, according to the American Cancer Society's website.

'WE CAUGHT IT EARLY'

Bonnie and Paul Cadenhead of Crestview are thankful for such medical advancements and their son Westin’s early diagnosis.

“We caught it early, so we had a better outcome,” Bonnie said. “Twenty years ago, it would have been a death sentence for him.”

Westin, who was diagnosed with ALL at age 5, is now 7, and he is in remission, the Cadenheads said. He takes monthly chemotherapy treatments at the Nemours Children’s Clinic in Pensacola, and doctors hope for full recovery by next year.

“He should be completely done with treatments (which include taking medications and receiving spinal taps) by next August,” Bonnie said.   

KEEPING THE FAITH

Cancer is just a footnote for Westin, a first-grader at Walker Elementary School who plays baseball and basketball.

And Westin said he looks forward to playing football in the near future.

But two years ago, when the situation was new and scary, friends and family offered emotional and financial support, which included organizing fundraisers to help cover medical costs.

Although diagnosis and initial treatments can be rough for any family facing childhood cancer, Paul suggested keeping the faith.

“I would just suggest relying on (Jesus) Christ," he said. "Nobody has the strength to go through something like that alone."

Bonnie added some advice.

"It gets better with time," she said.  

DID YOU KNOW?

Childhood cancers annually account for 1 percent of all cancer diagnoses. More than 10,000 children under age 15 have been diagnosed with cancer this year. Source: The American Cancer Society.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Couple credits medical advancements, faith for son's progress

CRESTVIEW — Tami Black's recent hair coloring appointment became a lifesaver when her hairdresser found a suspicious spot on her scalp.

April Linton, a cosmetologist at the Hello Beautiful salon, found a blemish about the size of a pencil eraser on the Baker School teacher's head last month.

After Linton showed Black a cell phone photo of it, the 33-year teaching veteran made an appointment with her dermatologist, Dr. Charles Trapp, who removed the cancerous spot and surrounding skin.

Checking customers’ heads for irregularities should be standard professional practice at any salon, Linton said.

“I always look,” Linton said. “I’ve found things before because you can’t see the back of your neck or behind your ears or on top of your head.

“They’re not just our clients, they’ve become our friends. Notifying them is just the right thing to do if you find something.”

EARLY DETECTION

Black, who has a family and personal history of skin cancer, said the cancer didn’t have time to get worse.

“They got it very early so I didn’t have to go through chemo. There was no invasion of my lymph nodes,” she said. “But I had 10 stitches on my head because (Dr. Trapp) cut out a quarter-size spot.”

Black, in turn, paid Linton’s deed forward by including discussion of cancer in her high school science classroom.

“I teach anatomy and we go over all that,” she said. “Some kids are cautious, but I have seniors and, come prom time, they’re tanning-bedding like crazy.”

Black, who brought Linton a floral bouquet in appreciation for her attentiveness, said the cosmetologist probably saved her life.

“I had some people praying for me,” Black said. “They said God knew it (the cancer) was there and he used April to find it.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LIFE-SAVING HAIR APPOINTMENT: Cosmetologist discovers cancerous spot on woman's head

CRESTVIEW — Madison Baxley is turning 5 years old on Sept. 30.

“It’s a big deal,” her mother, Ashley, said. “Even before she was born, she wasn’t expected to make it.”

Madison has Turner syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that affects growth and can result in a wide neck, hearing loss, visual impairment and irregularities with the heart, liver and kidneys, according to the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States website.

The disorder itself — which is present in one of 2,000 female births, according to the society's website — typically isn't life-threatening, but complications can be.

Madison was just 9 days old when she received open-heart surgery in Atlanta, Ashley said.

Madison, at 4, still struggles, but her mother is optimistic.

 “She has done pretty well so far,” Ashley said.  

 The family spreads awareness by wearing Turner syndrome T-shirts and supporting Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day, set for Sept. 27 at Old Spanish Trail Park.

The event will feature children’s bounce houses, a video game truck, face painting and live music. Wrist bands, lunch plates and snacks will be sold for donations.

 In addition, residents dealing with the disorder will be on hand to share insight, Ashley said.

Most of the event's proceeds will assist with Madison’s medical expenses. Twenty-five percent will benefit the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States, Ashley said.

In addition to weekly physical and occupational therapy sessions, Madison soon will need another open-heart surgery, along with a neck procedure, Ashley said.

Having Madison in her life has given Ashley purpose in spreading awareness for Turner syndrome, she said.

“I never knew what my calling was until I had her,” she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park, corner of Industrial Drive and Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview

COST: $5 per wristband, $5 for barbeque plate and $25 for family of four package (including two children's wrist bands and four lunch plates)

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman spreads Turner syndrome awareness following daughter's diagnosis