Aflac Kickoff

September is Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.  

Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patients Mary and Keren have teamed up to celebrate college football AND raise money to help the cause.

Whether you're a Tiger, a Dawg or just someone who wants to help make a difference...we have a way to support the cause.  Read about our spectacular young artists below, and support the cause today!  

Meet our Designers: Keren Clay

When Keren was diagnosed with Stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer in the form of a solid tumor, her family made it their mission to make each day the best possible, despite the tough road Keren had ahead of her.

“Our approach was not just to make sure Keren was happy, but optimistic. Because research shows that having a positive attitude is one of the most important things you can do for healing,” says Kelly Clay, Keren’s mother.

Keren’s cancer journey began in the fall of 2017, when she began complaining of foot pain and a lump on the bottom of her foot. Her parents, Kelly and Jonathan, thought it may just be a soccer injury, so they took her to a sports medicine primary care physician.

“He had no idea what it was after seeing the X-ray, so they sent us to an orthopedist, who then connected us to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta,” says Kelly.

Initially, they diagnosed Keren with having a vascular anomaly, but after treatment didn’t seem to be working, they ordered an MRI and biopsy. Doctors confirmed it was a cancerous tumor on Feb. 6, 2018.

The day after returning from a trip to Orlando, Keren was admitted to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s, and immediately began treatment. Because her tumor was wrapped within the muscle and bone of her foot, doctors recommended an amputation below the knee.

“It was very difficult, but Keren did a great job adjusting,” Kelly says. “She’s always been a very positive, happy child.”

This, however, was a challenge. Eleven-year-old Keren was a former soccer player; she loved to swim and play outside, so having limited mobility was life-changing for her. Unfortunately, complications delayed her treatment and her prosthetic.

After celebrating the end of her first round of chemotherapy, she started a second regimen that included another 20 radiation treatments. In a year-and-a-half, Keren grew 2 inches in height, but she lost her hair twice as a result of her treatments.

To get through the hard days, Keren turned to the Music and Art Therapy programs, as well as snuggles with our facility dogs. Kelly says they are especially thankful for these activities that brought Keren a bit of joy and for the care team and friends that supported her throughout her treatment.

“It was such a relief to have them there,” Kelly adds. “It’s hard to make each day good for your child when they’re cooped up in a hospital, but the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center team helped take a lot of pressure off me. We felt safe when we were there, and we felt the support, love and comfort.”

Meet our Designers: Mary Webb

Mary Webb recently graduated from North Oconee High School, but four years ago it didn't feel like an inevitability that she would one day receive a diploma.

During her freshman year, Webb received a devastating diagnose for anyone, much less a 14-year-old. She had brain cancer.

But with treatment and grit, the now 18-year-old overcame her illness and plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Webb, along with her family, knew something was potentially very wrong when she first exhibited symptoms. Initially, there were so many mixed signals it was difficult to pinpoint the problem. That was until her vision started to deteriorate and she was diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2020.

"Hearing the words that I had cancer was just crazy to me because you don't really expect that as a kid," said Webb.

Because of her vision loss, Webb had to start her treatment right away. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments to rid her of the two mixed-germ cell tumors found on her brain. Although she was homebound for school her freshman year, she continued her studies while doing treatments.

"Every weekday for six weeks, we would drive to downtown Atlanta, which was literally right across from the Fox Theater," said Webb. "We'd go there every day and we'd jam out to rock music."

When heading out for treatments, neighbors gathered in her yard holding signs and offering prayers in a heartfelt vigil for Webb.

"At that point in my life, I had no idea that many people loved me," said Webb. "There's so many people around you that sometimes you don't even know are there, but when you need them, they will be and that's really what gave me hope."

It's been three years since Webb became free of cancer. Her hard work and determination paid off when she was admitted to UGA through early action, and she will be starting this fall in the honors college.

"I think thing that we're most proud of with Mary is that it doesn't matter what news we got, how sick she felt, she just kept moving forward and we just took it day by day," said Kery Webb, Mary's mother.

With a passion for both music and communication, she plans to double major in music percussion performance and public relations. Ultimately, her dream is to work for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation and play in a symphony.