St. Joseph teen shares her experience with cancer

By Kirsten Stokes

A Bishop LeBlond student is sharing her story and raising awareness for childhood cancer.

Isabelle Giles is a 16-year-old athlete in St. Joseph, but she’s not had the easiest path. Giles has dealt with microblastoma since the age of 6, when they first discovered a tumor in her brain.

“So, the first one was like a softball maybe, so they were really concerned about that because it was going to the other side of my brain. But then they got that removed and thought they couldn’t see it and so that’s why they keep coming back,” Giles said.

In kindergarten, her teacher was concerned about her lack of writing and focus, and at home, something as simple as putting on a seatbelt was hard for her. She went to Children’s Mercy Hospital for a whole week, and that softball-sized tumor was found.

“We kept going back every year and then when I was about 12, they found another tumor. Then after that, when I was 14, they found another one. So, then we had to go up to Minnesota for treatment and earlier this year, they found another one. We just keep going back for checkups and stuff and I’ve had radiation done three times.”

Giles has had four brain tumors overall. Cancer is the No. 1 cause of death by disease in children, and 47 children are diagnosed every day. To raise money for underfunded research, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a 501©3 tax-exempt, publicly supported organization made public in 2004, has raised $300 million to improve research.

Through Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Giles’ family has received help with lodging, gas and other expenses for medical travel, and now, she’s helping out with the organization. Despite her situation, she is grateful to fundraise for other kids like her.

“It feels amazing. Sometimes I have hard times, but then I know I can help other people, so that’s why I like to do it … just because I know other kids have hard times, so it’s always fun to do the lemonade stands to help out,” Giles said.

On June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giles and her family will host their own Alex’s Lemonade Stand at 2113 Lovers Lane. In addition, on June 7 and 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Hy-Vee will host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand. All the proceeds will go toward childhood cancer research funding.

To donate or volunteer, visit https://www.alexslemonade.org/