Listening Time — 19:46
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, approximately 13,400 children 19 and younger are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, and approximately one quarter of them will not survive the disease. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, during which supporters of the fight against childhood cancer are encouraged to wear gold ribbons.
One of the many who will "go gold" this month is Roya Giordano, whose 13-year-old son Mathias has osteosarcoma - a bone cancer that developed in his right leg. In this episode, Roya shares her family's journey with the disease, and talks about the special bond Mathias has developed with his physical therapist Mike Reing, PT, MSPT, OCS. Mike work with Mathias to help him preserve his quality of life.
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Read more about childhood leukemia, childhood cancer and other pediatric conditions physical therapists treat.
Roya Giordano is the mother of Mathias. At 11 years old, Mathias was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that was discovered in his right leg. Roya was determined to preserve her son's quality of life and became an advocate for childhood cancer awareness.
Mathias Giordano was an active soccer-playing 11-year-old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, cancer of the bone. What followed over the next two years were biopsies, 29 rounds of chemotherapy, 3 major lung surgeries, 14 rounds of radiation, and the amputation of his lower right leg. Months after this episode aired, Mathias died on December 7, 2014. In his honor, we encourage you to support the American Childhood Cancer Organization's “Go Gold” awareness campaign.
Mike Reing, PT, MSPT, OCS, is a co-founder of Advantage Physical Therapy in Falls Church, Virginia. He specializes in orthopedics with areas of sub-specialization in adult and pediatric oncology rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation programs, cervicogenic headaches, and orthopedic pediatrics. He is affiliated with the Children's National Medical Center where he is part of the clinical team in both the Late Effects Clinic and the Neuro-Oncology Clinic.
