My name is Jen Hobby Rivera, though I’m better known as Reece and Lauren’s mom and Grant’s wife. Our daughter Reece is a cancer survivor.
The first signs that something was wrong were subtle. Reece became extremely uncomfortable in her car seat. She would fuss and cry every time we put her in it, which was unusual because she had always been such an easygoing, happy baby. For months, her dad and I worried. We knew something wasn’t right, but we couldn’t figure out what it was.
When she was finally diagnosed, we learned it was stage four cancer. It was the worst day of our lives as parents — our greatest fear confirmed. After her MRI, the doctors sat across from us and said the words, “It’s cancer.” When you hear that as a parent, time stands still. Everything else fades away, and you become completely focused on your child’s survival.
Reece was just 10 months old when she was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor. We were immediately admitted to the hospital and spent the next four months going in and out for multiple rounds of chemotherapy. At the end of those treatments, a surgeon was able to remove the tumor.
After she recovered from surgery, we waited for the MRI results. I’ll never forget getting the call. The doctor said there were no residual signs of tumor — the most beautiful words I had ever heard. I had to pull over on the side of the road because I started sobbing. I called my husband and said, “They got it. They got it all.” It was the first moment we could finally exhale. All the emotion we had been holding back came pouring out.
Dr. Ryan Summers, a pediatric oncologist, cares for children with cancer and conducts research to develop new cures and therapies aimed at improving outcomes. One of the greatest joys of his work is supporting families during some of their darkest moments, offering hope and reassurance that someone is fighting alongside them. His goal is to improve the lives of children facing cancer.
The broader goal of pediatric oncology research is to find more cures for more children and to reduce the long-term side effects of treatment. Currently, many children receive chemotherapy protocols originally developed for adults, rather than treatments specifically designed for their growing bodies and developing brains. Increasing childhood cancer research allows for therapies tailored to children, leading to better outcomes and fewer lasting effects.
Research is critical to advancing cures. However, only four percent of federal cancer research funding goes toward pediatric cancer. That’s why partnerships like the one between the American Cancer Society and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are so important. Both organizations fund cancer research, and their collaboration specifically dedicated to pediatric cancer research is a powerful step forward. Funding from organizations like these supports the discovery of new therapies and treatment approaches that ultimately save children’s lives.
We feel incredibly blessed that Reece is cured and has avoided severe long-term effects. Not every family gets that outcome. That’s why continued support for pediatric cancer research is so essential. Every child with cancer deserves a story like Reece’s — a chance to be cured and go on to live a full, healthy life.
Childhood Cancer by Jen Hobby Rivera
Re: Childhood Cancer by Jen Hobby Rivera
Jen, your story captures both the terror and the profound relief of childhood cancer. Hearing “they got it all” must have been unforgettable. We’re grateful for physicians like Dr. Ryan Summers and support from organizations such as the American Cancer Society and St. Baldrick’s Foundation advancing pediatric research. Reece’s journey is a beacon of hope for other families.
