Time is a great healer
Sitting down with Emma Handzo in March 2024 was something I had wanted to do for a long time. Emma, a neuroblastoma survivor, accomplished scientist, and mother of a toddler, is also a 30-year cancer survivor!
Today, Emma lives in Annapolis with her husband, Sean and her 2 year old daughter, Kate. 2024 marks the 30th year since Emma’s diagnosis. Her story is special given that the odds of survival at that time were no more than 15-20%. Even defying those odds, she would still face another uncertainty: motherhood.
In early November 1994, following persistent high fevers, Emma’s mother, Liz, brought her to the pediatrician. Eventually, they ended up at the University of Maryland, where they met Dr. Christopher Frantz, who happened to specialize in neuroblastoma and recognized her symptoms right away. Emma was diagnosed within weeks and when the tumor was removed, it was the size of a grapefruit. Emma was diagnosed with Stage 3 neuroblastoma with specific genetic markers that required her to be treated as if it was Stage 4. Neuroblastoma is typically diagnosed in kids five and younger and often originates around nerve cells in the abdomen and/or around the chest, neck, and spine. It is considered rare, and is typically aggressive and deadly.
Treatment quickly began at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The process started with chemotherapy to stop the tumor from growing, then surgery to remove the tumor, and finally, a bone marrow transplant so she could begin to produce healthy blood cells. Emma reminded me that CCF was instrumental in funding the isolation room that patients stay in to receive bone marrow transplants, which was ultimately successful in Emma’s treatment. In fact, she was the first patient to use that room.
Emma endured chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant using her own marrow. Following her treatment, two-year-old Emma sustained significant hearing loss and was fitted with bilateral hearing aids. Both of Emma’s parents (Jay and Liz) specialized in early childhood development, which meant they were quick to notice where Emma was lagging in developmental milestones and needed more support.
Emma’s doctor, Dr. Allen Eskenazi, and nurse Diane Keegan-Wells remained close to Emma throughout her recovery and beyond.
Amazingly, Emma survived and began to adapt to her “new life” with hearing loss. She recalled that it forced her to advocate for herself. Emma is one of the oldest survivors of her treatment regimen. Treatment for neuroblastoma is effectively the same as it was 30 years ago. The specific dosage may be slightly less toxic, but essentially it has not progressed. This is another reason why it is so critical to invest in pediatric cancer research. So often treatments available to the youngest cancer patients are toxic and come with many risks.
Growing up in Mt. Airy, Maryland, Emma was always an excellent student. Following high school graduation, Emma attended Franklin & Marshall College, graduating in 2014, and received her Masters of Science in Physics from the University of Texas (2015) and her MBA from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business in 2018. Yes, she has two Masters degrees!
Emma met her husband, Sean, on December 31, 2017 and the two immediately began dating. Emma and Sean were married during the COVID shutdown in May 2020, settled in Annapolis, and in 2022, their daughter, Kate, was born.
During Emma’s treatment, it was unknown if there would be an impact on her reproductive organs. Her pregnancy included additional monitoring, but overall, her pregnancy was not considered high-risk. However, now that Kate has reached the age Emma was when she received her diagnosis, Emma can’t help but worry, even knowing the odds of inheriting any genetic component of Emma’s cancer is unlikely. After all, all Emma’s risk should have been low too.
Emma recalled some specific memories of doctors and nurses, many she remains close to today. Emma is literally the best-case scenario and outcome of a cancer diagnosis. Today, Emma considers herself living a “typical life” despite hearing loss and muscle atrophy. Emma is not one to complain and simply adapts to whatever comes her way. She noted more than once that, “Time is a healer.” Emma is truly a success story.
As CCF will celebrate the 40th Anniversary Gala later November 2, 2024, knowing that we are still making an impact with local families is a reminder that we must continue our journey together. We must raise funds to invest in research and programs. Simply knowing that facilities built through CCF’s early investment continue to provide state-of-the-art treatment for the youngest cancer patients tells me we are doing something right. It is why we continue to do what we do.
CCF’s investment in Research = Emma Handzo
With appreciation,
Tasha
