Spring is a time to celebrate the passing of the cold winter and the awakening of the world as the trees are once again adorned in their green leaves and the flowers bloom. But May 2010 was less about celebration and more about fear for 12-year-old Jacob and his family.

Jacob was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a very rare bone cancer that affects bone and soft tissue. Jacob had a malignant mass, the size of a baseball, located on the right side of his pelvis. He underwent 30 weeks of intense chemotherapy treatment, which involved 5 different chemotherapy drugs and a hemipelvectomy (removal of the right side of pelvis).  He also received numerous (over 50) blood and platelet transfusions.  Jacob was told by his doctors that he would not be able to walk again for at least a year, and he would never be able to run again, or play any sports that involved running.

Jacob became determined to be well again, and to find a replacement for the sports he loved. So he took up the guitar. Because Jacob found that playing music was therapeutic and helped him as he was enduring his treatment, he began playing for other cancer patients at Nationwide Children’s.

Jacob’s determination was unfaltering. He surpassed all the goals laid before him by his doctors. He was able to walk again within 2 months after being able to bare weight on his right leg.   At his 6th-month follow-up appointment, he was even able to greet his surgeon by running to him.

About five years ago, Jacob and his family started the JakeSTRONG 5K, a local fundraising event with the goal of raising over $1 million for pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s. As an international leader in pediatric research, science is thriving at Nationwide Children’s. Our behavioral, basic and clinician scientists are redefining pediatric health care with best outcomes for every child in mind. The Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s is focused on developing and testing therapies for cancer and blood diseases and translating those findings into clinical studies and practice.

“Nationwide Children’s Hospital means family to me. All the doctors, nurses, and medical staff helped me during the most difficult time of my life. They helped save my life, literally! I cannot thank them enough for all that they did and for all of the love, care and concern they showed me during my cancer treatment,” says Jacob.

Today, Jacob continues to play guitar. He also started playing piano, keyboard, drums, ukulele and taking voice lessons.  In February of this year, Jacob celebrated five years of being cancer free. On behalf of all children who have faced cancer, he will continue that celebration as he cheers on the participants as they pass through his mile during the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon.

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• Name: Jacob C.Jacob Carlino
• Condition(s): Ewing’s Sarcoma
• Age at Treatment: 12
• Age Today: 02/22/199826 Years

Spring is a time to celebrate the passing of the cold winter and the awakening of the world as the trees are once again adorned in their green leaves and the flowers bloom. But May 2010 was less about celebration and more about fear for 12-year-old Jacob and his family.

Jacob was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a very rare bone cancer that affects bone and soft tissue. Jacob had a malignant mass, the size of a baseball, located on the right side of his pelvis. He underwent 30 weeks of intense chemotherapy treatment, which involved 5 different chemotherapy drugs and a hemipelvectomy (removal of the right side of pelvis).  He also received numerous (over 50) blood and platelet transfusions.  Jacob was told by his doctors that he would not be able to walk again for at least a year, and he would never be able to run again, or play any sports that involved running.

Jacob became determined to be well again, and to find a replacement for the sports he loved. So he took up the guitar. Because Jacob found that playing music was therapeutic and helped him as he was enduring his treatment, he began playing for other cancer patients at Nationwide Children’s.

Jacob’s determination was unfaltering. He surpassed all the goals laid before him by his doctors. He was able to walk again within 2 months after being able to bare weight on his right leg.   At his 6th-month follow-up appointment, he was even able to greet his surgeon by running to him.

About five years ago, Jacob and his family started the JakeSTRONG 5K, a local fundraising event with the goal of raising over $1 million for pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s. As an international leader in pediatric research, science is thriving at Nationwide Children’s. Our behavioral, basic and clinician scientists are redefining pediatric health care with best outcomes for every child in mind. The Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s is focused on developing and testing therapies for cancer and blood diseases and translating those findings into clinical studies and practice.

“Nationwide Children’s Hospital means family to me. All the doctors, nurses, and medical staff helped me during the most difficult time of my life. They helped save my life, literally! I cannot thank them enough for all that they did and for all of the love, care and concern they showed me during my cancer treatment,” says Jacob.

Today, Jacob continues to play guitar. He also started playing piano, keyboard, drums, ukulele and taking voice lessons.  In February of this year, Jacob celebrated five years of being cancer free. On behalf of all children who have faced cancer, he will continue that celebration as he cheers on the participants as they pass through his mile during the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon.