Dena’s son, Billy Jr was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in July 2008 when he was only 13 months old. While on vacation Dena and Billy noticed something was not quite right with their son. They cut their family’s vacation short and brought Billy to his doctor. The doctor did not find anything amiss, but Billy’s parents were not satisfied. They took Billy to the hospital and were told that he had pneumonia and that one of his lungs had collapsed. After further testing, Billy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Intermediate Risk Neuroblastoma, which after relapse this March was changed to Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma.

Since diagnosis Billy has endured countless procedures including CT scans, bone marrow biopsies, MIBG scans, X-rays, MRIs, ten rounds of chemotherapy, four surgeries, three central line placements, PICC line placement, eight chest tubes, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, stem cell harvesting and through this all Billy amazes us with his strength and courage. In March of 2009, after his six-month scan, we learned that Billy’s cancer has returned and the family is battling this disease again. To learn more about Baby Billy, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/babybilly

Having lived through the highs and lows of this disease for over a year now, Dena and Billy realized the lack of awareness and funding of NEUROBLASTOMA and in August of 2009 they founded the Not-for-Profit Corporation Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation. Their hope and their dreams are to bring awareness to the often unheard of childhood cancer, NEUROBLASTOMA, to raise funds for the underfunded childhood cancers and to be part of someday finding a cure.

Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) Charity. All donations to Arms Wide Open are tax deductable to the fullest extent of the law. 

The mission of Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation is to fund medical research for pediatric cancers and improvements in chemotherapy and alternative therapies. By supporting Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation you will be helping Dena Sherwood fulfill a dream to help other families suffering with this disease and to be a part of funding a cure. Lets join together to help this new charity make a difference in the lives of children who desperately need it. Please help support this worthwhile cause.

Our foundation is an all-volunteer organization managed by family and friends. We are committed to keeping our overhead low, so that the greatest portion of every dollar raised goes towards this cause.

Thank you, everyone, for your participation in our first annual Give Thanks for Life Gala.  For those of you who took the time to put together one of our many beautiful gift baskets, your creativity and efforts are very much appreciated.  For those who literally opened your vacation homes to us, we are grateful for your generosity.  For those of you who sold all the raffle tickets, and for those who sold 50/50s, the night would not have been as successful without your help and dedication.  For those at the Hilton Garden Inn who worked so hard to keep our drinks flowing, our bellies full, and our feet dancing, we are thankful.  And for those of you who attended, your very presence contributed to the magic of the evening.  Ghandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."  We are humbled by all of your donations of time, money and energy, and with your continued support, WE WILL fund a cure for Neuroblastoma.  With Gratitude, Appreciation and Hope, Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Click below for SI's news article about the Gala event:  http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1258184718321190.xml&coll=1