In this conversation, Curtis Vallier interviews Rob, the
father of Ariana Labella, who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at the age of
nine and passed away in 2022. They discuss the strength and resilience of
children with cancer, the importance of community support, and the impact of
childhood cancer on families. They also touch on the need for continued support
after a child's passing and the value of celebrating success stories. The
conversation highlights the innocence and empathy of children with cancer and
the perspective they bring to life. In this part of the conversation, Rob and
Curtis discuss their experiences with their children's illnesses and the
challenges they faced. They talk about the emotional moments leading up to
their children's passing and the difficult decisions they had to make. They
also discuss the importance of clinical trials and the need for more research
and collaboration among doctors. They touch on the role of doctors in providing
support and information to parents and the impact of childhood cancer on
relationships. Overall, they emphasize the need for awareness and understanding
of childhood cancer. In this part of the conversation, Curtis and Rob discuss
the topic of do not resuscitate (DNR) forms and the misconceptions surrounding
them. They explain that a DNR is not about giving up or quitting, but rather
about allowing a child to have peace and avoid a diminished quality of life.
They emphasize the importance of understanding the meaning behind a DNR and the
difficult decisions parents have to make. They also discuss the lack of funding
and support for pediatric cancer research and the need for more awareness and
action. Rob shares the work of Ana's Sunflower Warriors in providing snacks,
activities, and support to children in the hospital, as well as their efforts
to raise awareness and make a difference in the community.
