Brave Li’l Brett Battles Wilms’ Tumor; Community Supports Family

COURT HOUSE — There’s a little Court House boy who is in the fight of his young life and his mother wants to thank those who have been in his corner along the way.
Brett Staino, a precocious 19-month-old toddler, was diagnosed on March 28 with a rare form of pediatric cancer called Wilms’ Tumor.
Since then, Brett has endured chemotherapy, radiation treatments, surgery to remove his right kidney along with six lymph nodes and a month-long stint on a feeding tube due to a surgical complication.
Chemotherapy started the same day he was diagnosed and standard hair loss and vomiting have resulted, according to his mother Shannon.
Despite these trials, Brett is reportedly still developing a playful and silly personality, Shannon said.
“He’s a favorite with the staff at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) as well as the Voorhees clinic where he receives his chemotherapy,” Shannon told the Herald.
He, of course, has good days and bad ones, but overall he has a great attitude, she said.
While Brett has been handling his condition with the resiliency of a saint, Shannon said she and her husband Jeff have been just able to keep it together with the help of those in the community.
According to Shannon, the family has spent about two full months out of the last four in Children’s Hospital.
Since Brett’s diagnosis, the Staino’s expenses have been piling up due to travel, missed work and medical costs and there’s still a long road ahead because Brett will, even after his chemotherapy is completed in November, continue with testing and monitoring until he turns eight.
“This is by far the hardest thing we’ve ever been through,” Shannon said. “If it weren’t for the overwhelming support we’ve gotten from family, friends and local charitable organizations, I don’t know what we would have done.”
Shannon specifically wanted to thank the following groups that have supported the family financially and otherwise:
• Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund
• Love of Linda Cancer Fund
• Friend in Need
Shannon also wanted to thank those who supported Brett and the Staino family at the June 8 beef & beer benefit at Bobby Dee’s Rock-n-Chair in Avalon, where Jeff works as the head chef.
At a July 24 meeting of the county Chronic Illness Coalition, Chairman Dick Colosi told the coalition members that Brett and his family must be very loved because “there must have been 400 people gathered at the fundraiser.”
“With all the continued love and support of family and friends, Brett will persevere and always be our little angel,” Shannon said.
Wilms’ Tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a rare form of kidney cancer that affects young children. About 500 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to Shannon.
Despite its apparent rarity, Wilms’ Tumor is affecting not one but two young boys in Cape May County.
There is also a tiny Wildwood “surfer,” Cameron Dauria also battling the disease. Cameron’s story was featured in the July 16 edition of the Herald’s On Deck magazine.
“It’s amazing that two boys of the same age were diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumor just a month apart,” Shannon said.
“It shows just how close to home pediatric cancer is and how it could happen to anyone, anytime.”
Shannon wanted to remind county residents that the Brendan Borek Fund is holding their annual surf memorial event on 30th Street beach in Avalon on August 16th. This is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
To help Brett and his family, donations can be made to: The Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund, In Honor of Brett Staino, P.O. Box 41, Avalon, NJ 08202.
Those interested in following Brett’s progress can do so by visiting www.carepages.com; register for free, then visit his page at LittleAngelBrett.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com