THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 14, 1996 TAG: 9610120017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
Anne Saita's wonderful article (Oct. 5) documenting Josh Wilkinson's life and unfortunate death moved me deeply. Having lost a son to Ewings sarcoma 5 1/2 years ago, memories came rushing back. Memories of the tremendous strength and courage displayed by children undergoing treatments with horrible side effects. The abject despair of parents when they are told that the cancer has progressed beyond the point of hope. Their heartbreak after they share this inevitability with their child.
The article also raised an anger in me. My son complained of the same symptoms as Josh did in July 1988: a low-grade fever and pain in the legs. He was finally diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma in March 1989.
My outrage comes from the fact that this is the second-most-common malignant bone tumor among children and yet it gets diagnosed only after it is too late to treat with any hope of successful recovery. I won't rail against the government for underfunding research aimed at finding a cure. All I am asking is for a protocol to be developed whereby physicians can identify and begin treating this virulent cancer so that the child at least has a fighting chance.
RICHARD SLIWOSKI
Virginia Beach, Oct. 7, 1996 by CNB