Crissy Johnson used journaling to document her thoughts, fears, revelations and heartaches during her son David’s cancer journey.

She compiled a stack of 15 paper journals, replete with details on treatments, medications and key caregivers, throughout the years. Johnson found that pouring her heart and soul into a journal helped her cope and provided a safe, creative and cathartic outlet after her son was diagnosed at 18 months old with neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells.

“I spent a lot of moments in the bathroom silently crying, but then put on my happy face to help get the rest of the family through,” she said of being in “survival mode.” “We just do what we have to do for our children.”

David, now 8, is cancer-free. He’s a Virginia Beach third grader who loves to play sports. He checks in with his oncologist every six months.

But it was the first four years of his life — in and out of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters — that rocked the world of Crissy and her husband, Rodney.

Six rounds of high-dose chemotherapy required David to stay in the hospital for 26 days each time. Radiation treatment meant 20-day stints. Tumor resection and immunotherapy equaled more time away from his family, which includes three older siblings.

Johnson, a former medical assistant, said having some familiarity with medical jargon helped her understanding, which was both good and bad as she learned and digested more about the tumor attached to her son’s left kidney.

“I wasn’t comfortable with saying the word ‘cancer’ for a long time,” Johnson said.

But the words came when she wrote about her family’s experiences in two books, a memoir published in 2018, “Fighting for King David,” and “Residue of War,” an anthology of mothers’ stories, released in 2022. Both are available for sale on Amazon.

In 2020, she created MomAdvocate Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping other families affected by childhood cancer.

“I realized that the resources we needed were limited,” she said.

Crissy Johnson recollected the financial burden they endured to cover the cost of fuel for trips back and forth to the hospital and the added cost of takeout meals for the family of six.

That’s what led her to start the Fuel For The Journey program, which provides gas and grocery gift cards to local families in Hampton Roads with a child undergoing cancer treatment.

And as a nod to David, the foundation also hosts King David’s Costume Drive. David wore a Superman costume throughout his treatments, which Johnson said “allowed him to be an actual kid.”

Now in its fifth year, the foundation received more than 100 donated costumes last fall for pediatric oncology patients in treatment at CHKD to wear, Johnson said.

“We believe that every child deserves to experience the joy of dressing up and letting their imagination run wild,” the foundation’s website says.

Johnson volunteers her expertise to help other people turn their journal entries into books. All she asks for in return is a donation to the foundation.

“Community is everything to me,” she said.

Nikysha Noris read “Fighting for King David” during her son Xavier’s cancer treatment, which began in February 2021. She started her own charity event, Run for Xavier, to help others dealing with pediatric cancer. She is grateful another Virginia Beach mother shared similar experiences, including developing support outlets.

“We spoke the same language,” Noris said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

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If you go

What: 2nd Annual Cancer Awareness Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating survivors, honoring caregivers and supporting those still fighting.

When: 6-9 p.m., Sept. 15

Where: Luxury Affairs Event Center, 4010B Victory Blvd. Portsmouth

Tickets: $75-$100, Momadvocatefoundation.org/events

Cole Kastner is staying in the Atlantic Coast Conference next year. But he’s not playing at Virginia and he’s not playing lacrosse.

UVA’s 6’7″ All-American defenseman announced on social media on Wednesday evening that he will using his final year of eligibility to transfer to Stanford to play basketball for the 2024-2025 season.

A former high school basketball standout growing up in Palo Alto, California, it seemed the most likely outcome that Kastner would end up back home at Stanford when he entered the transfer portal last spring, looking to use his final year of eligibility to return to the sport of basketball. Kastner strongly considered the basketball route while he was at Menlo School, as he was a three-year starter on the basketball team and averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists and had 17 double-doubles in his senior season.

Kastner ultimately decided on lacrosse and wound up being a critical part of Virginia’s run to the National Championship in 2021 as a true freshman. Three years later, Kastner seems well on his way to another All-ACC and All-American season leading the Cavalier defense. Kastner was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and was an All-American and All-ACC selection in both 2022 and 2023. This year, Kastner joined teammate Connor Shellenberger on the list of 25 nominees for the 2024 Tewaaraton Award.

For his career, Kastner currently has 64 games played, 48 starts, four goals, two assists, 113 ground balls, and 83 caused turnovers. And those numbers will continue to grow as Kastner looks to bookend his career with another national title.

But no matter how this season ends, it will be his final spring at the University of Virginia, as Kastner is now officially headed back home to Palo Alto, where he’ll look to revive his basketball career.

In an interesting byproduct of conference realignment, Kastner will play against the Virginia men’s basketball team next season, as the Cavaliers will make the cross-country trip to face the Stanford Cardinal in their first season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Kastner became the first transfer to commit to Kyle Smith, who became the new head coach at Stanford last month after spending the previous five seasons at Washington State, where Tony Bennett previously coached.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – The American Red Cross of Central Virginia is recognizing nearly a dozen people for their work. It held its “Help Can’t Wait 2024: Celebration of Heroes” event on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

The event honors heroes who have saved a life, performed an act of courage, or served and provided leadership in the community.

One of the recipients is Curt Bean. He was honored with the Services to the Armed Forces Hero for his work with Guitars for Vets. It gives veterans free music lessons and guitars.

“By learning to play the music, it helps not only the veteran but the family. And music uses a different side of the brain than PTSD does,” said Recipient of the Services to the Armed Forces Hero Award, Curt Bean.

As a veteran himself, Curt received his award for the impact he brings to the military community in Charlottesville.

“Curt had several nominations. He is an amazing man. We’re just so happy to honor him today. He’s actually got three tables of supporters here to you know, just celebrate the good work that he does with the military that trends in the community,” said Board Member of the American Red Cross Central Virginia Chapter, Catherine Chapman.

From helping veterans to saving an elderly lady’s life in a sinking car.

Nine people were recognized for their acts of courage.

“We have three lifeguards that actually saved the life of an elderly woman whose car was submerged. And so it’s so exciting to have young people that have really stepped up to the plate to serve their fellow man and to honor them,” said Chapman.

All funds raised from the event go back to the American Red Cross.

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