Saving Live’s is on Abigail’s Radar

Abigail Cline knows what it means to save a person’s life. She does it everyday as a firefighter and paramedic for Springfield Township Fire in Ohio. Abigail and Radar

She also knows what it feels like to be on the other end, requiring lifesaving measures.

At 15 years old, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissue. As a teenager, stuffed animals were not necessarily the first gift requested, but Chemo Duck was different.

Abigail said her mom found an article in a magazine about Chemo Duck and decided to get her one. She is glad her mom did.

“I carried my duck everywhere,” laughed Abigail. “He was like my pillow on long drives to the hospital. He was my comfort during treatments in clinic and while I was in the hospital.

“I even carried him with me when I went to school. I mean I had him with me all the time.”

As part of the yearlong treatment regime, patients routinely undergo radiation. But when doctors explained that the radiation therapy would affect her ability to have children as well as potentially increase the risk she would develop breast cancer, Abigail refused it.

Abigail & Radar at the RelayHer fear of the radiation was also the rationale behind naming her duck Radar, short for radiation.

“I could not even go past the radiation area in the hospital without freaking out,” she recalled. “I thought naming him Radar would help me.

“When you are 15 or 16 and you are really sick, you revert to being a little kid,” said Abigail, now 22. “You are so scared. Having Radar with me made a difference.” Abigail & Radar at the Relay

While she was undergoing cancer treatments, her aunt was also fighting the disease, which allowed Abigail to explain to her younger cousins what their mom was experiencing.

“It really does help kids understand,” she said. “I could see how nurses would be able to use the duck to show and explain to them what was going on. It’s really a great thing.”

Today Radar resides on Abigail’s nightstand.

Over the summer she brought him along to the Relay for Life, a 24-hour long fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Her squad donned full gear (air tanks included) and walked until the tanks ran out. Radar was tucked safely in Abigail’s pant pocket as she completed multiple laps.

Vanderbilt Celebrates 10 years of Chemo Duck

Chemo Duck turns 10

For ten years Chemo Duck has helped thousands of children treated for cancer across the globe.

Organizers of Chemo Duck held a birthday party to mark the milestone with nearly 50 party goers at the hospital where he was born – the Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Each guest enjoyed cake and cookies from Cakes Against Cancer for Kids, decorated rubber ducks and Chemo Duck bandanas.

Lu Sipos, the founder of Chemo Duck, said the plush toy is more than a stuffed animal – it is an educational intervention that serves as a therapeutic tool to help children better understand the various treatments they will experience while undergoing therapy.

Chemo Duck turns 10

Chemo Duck turns 10“Over the past decade there have been many changes to Chemo Duck,” said Sipos. “The program has grown into far more than just a stuffed duck. We have come up with a variety of resources, games, videos and other educational tools to help kids cope with cancer.

“He gives parents a view into their child’s mind and he gives children a way to express themselves. Our focus has always been to guide families through that initial, brutal first few weeks and then provide them with much-needed comfort and companionship.”

Chemo Duck turns 10Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital is where Chemo Duck held its first launch party which made it very fitting to mark a decade of service at the very same place, smiled Sipos.

“I am so thankful for Vanderbilt and the support shown to us over the years,” said Sipos. “It all started right here and look at where we are now.”

Chemo Duck turns 10

As part of the birthday celebration, Chemo Duck donated six rainbow loom kits – one of the hottest crafting projects on the market – to the hospital. The kit consists of two plastic template boards, a hook, 24 plastic clips and 600 multicolored mini rubber bands – typically used to make friendship bracelets, rings and more.