Makennah Barron
“Our world was turned upside down when we were told MaKennah was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG),” said MaKennah’s mom Ashley Barron.
This 8-year-old Park Hills girl was diagnosed in November of 2014 with this inoperable, cancerous tumor of the brainstem. After 30 rounds of radiation and 60 rounds of chemotherapy, an initial test showed that the tumor had shrunk. Subsequent tests showed an even greater reduction in size. MaKennah entered into a trial treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of St. Louis though without great results. The family perseveres with great faith but did have to ask which is worse – the disease or the treatment. In January, MaKennah went back to her school and began to slowly regain her strength on her left side. “She continues to amaze us daily and she is enjoying life and has been chemo-free since Nov. 20, 2015,” her mom said. She was the first child at St. Jude’s and seventh in the country to be re-radiated with DIPG. MaKennah has surpassed the life expectancy for this disease and her strength will surely help others. MaKennah is the daughter of proud parents Ashley and Nathan Barron.