Young Eagles Fan Meets, Bonds with Favorite Player

COURT HOUSE – The “power of community” came through once again for 10-year-old Kanen Keating-Wear July 28 when he received VIP experiences from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles treated six families from the Casey Cares Foundation to a special viewing of practice and an autograph session with the Super Bowl champs.
The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating “little moments and lasting memories” for families with critically-ill children in seven states and the District of Columbia. 
“Kanen had the best time,” mother Lauren Keating-Wear said after the event. “He said it was one of the best days of his life. As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more. It is all about making memories and seeing our son smile.” 
Kanen is being treated for Ewing sarcoma at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Ewing sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that impacts the bones and soft tissue. It’s his second bout with the disease, after four and one-half years of remission.
“We have a great support system of family and friends here that help us,” his mother said, talking about how she and her husband, Michael Wear, juggle three other children, jobs and their son’s illness which includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“It’s the power of community that has helped us through these times,” she added noting there has been a “meal train” for the family, and friends and family who help with activities for the other children who are 7, 4 and 1-year-old.   
Kanen was first diagnosed with the disease when he was 5-years-old. At the time, the tumor was in his spine, near the C2-C3 vertebrae and was inoperable. He underwent 11 months of chemo and 31 days of radiation.
Tests showed he was clean for four-and-one-half years before he started to complain of pain in his lower back.
“He played baseball, slid into home plate, and we initially thought he had hurt his sacrum,” his mother recalled. “The doctors didn’t think it (the cancer) would come back, but after going through it the first time, I thought we better do some tests.”
An MRI showed a mass and Kanen underwent seven hours of surgery to remove it. “It was pretty heart-breaking to undergo this again, especially since we were almost clean for five years,” Lauren said. “When there is a relapse, that’s not a good sign.”
In December, Kanen started chemo and radiation and still has his 10th round to undergo aimed at his spinal cord. For the most part, he’s been unable to attend school since then but has been home-schooled so he could keep up with his school work.
He will enter fifth grade in the fall at Middle Township Elementary School No. 2 in Court House.
Treatment is harsh, according to his mother. Kanen has been feeling “very sad and isolated. Events like this (Eagles event) give him a little pep in his step. He is overall happier after rough days at the hospital and at home.”
The Eagles are his favorite team, and Nelson Efamehule Agholor, the Nigerian-American wide receiver for the Eagles, is his favorite player, according to Lauren.
Agholor stopped by to see Kanen during the practice session.
“Kanen has not stopped talking about it,” Lauren said. “Nelson told Kanen that he was his good luck charm and that Kanen should call him before every game. That made me tear up.
“As a parent, having a child with cancer is the most helpless feeling in the world,” she admitted. “You can’t do anything but comfort them.
“To see your children have a good day and enjoy themselves for a change makes for a very emotional day for his dad and me,” she added.
In the meantime, organizations like Casey Cares and others have helped the family balance tough times with fun times.
One stand-out activity happened earlier this year when they attended the Super Bowl, thanks to donations from other local groups and philanthropists.
“Kanen was undergoing radiation at the time, but we got permission from our doctors to go,” his mother said. “He had to wear a mask to prevent germs, but it was such a treat for him thanks to the power of community.”
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.