A message of hope from Lora and Dave Krum

Of course, our most broadened definition of hope, in the case of pediatric cancer, is that it will someday be eradicated so that no child, no family will ever have to face the horror of being diagnosed and battling this monster.As with any family who has or is battling this devastating disease, we hope that all will win their battles and live fulfilling lives.Like other moms and dads, we, the parents of Dylan and Gavin Krum, have been forced to face life so differently from we expected to, and struggle with so many adjustments. That includes altering our goals, dreams and hopes.Our personal hopes include finding ways to support people who are facing struggles. We find that in helping others, we experience help and healing in the process.That will be a major source of our own personal survival of living after our sons' deaths.Of course our hearts will always gravitate toward families of children who experience any serious condition that causes struggle, and also families who face the tragedy of facing the death of their child, which is absolutely THE WORST LOSS ever experienced. Because pediatric cancer was the demise of the lives of both of our boys, our hearts will always feel even stronger "tugs" for others who face particular strains of this horrible disease.We realize that awareness and education, are important for better understanding any issue.Because of that, we hope to continue to courageously assist in exposing the realities of pediatric cancer (as well as any serious childhood condition) and all of its unfortunate effects and outcomes.Importantly and unfortunately, this includes the unique grief of child loss.Hopefully, awareness and education will be the foundation for more people to feel less afraid, and more willing to receive information.In that way, we can provide the best sources of compassion and care for all of us.Dylan Krum was diagnosed with pediatric follicular lymphoma in 2010. He passed away just 56 days later at the age of 15. His brother, Gavin, was diagnosed in 2012 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He passed away 63 days later at the age of 14.