Meet our Shredheads

What is a Shredhead?
A Shredhead is someone our Shred Kids' Cancer community rallies behind to show support during their battle.  We work with the Shredhead's families, doctors and hospitals to show the Shredheads that their community of peers are here for them. The Shredhead bravely agrees to be in the spotlight and share their story to raise awareness and much needed funds that can be directed to a pediatric clinical trials that may suit their needs and require funding. 

Kaitlin is 9 years old, loves to dance, sing, paint and do cartwheels. She lives in Newbury Park, CA with her parents, Amy & Daniel and siblings, Kacey (13), Caleb (12) and Cara (1).  On Tuesday May 6th, 2013, Kaitlin started complaining of abdominal pain. What was thought may be appendicitis turned into a a diagnosis of cancer. The doctors found a grapefruit sized tumor in her abdomen and several small tumors in her lungs. She was taken by helicopter to Children's Hospital in LA, where she was diagnosed with pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma (embryonic) which has metastasized to her lungs. She is currently undergoing of a 52 week treatment plan which includes weekly chemotherapy and eventually radiation treatments.

Pictured from left to right is past Shredheads Andreas Kinickman and Ashley Jensen-Pray holding check is Chairman Teagan and Dr. Leo Mascarenhas at the Shred Kids Cancer check presentation to Children's Hospital Los Angeles on June 6, 2013. 

Shredfest 5 and Shredfest 3 were dedicated to Shredhead Andreas Knickman who is now a senior in high school is going through his third battle with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). We are so happy that his recent scan was clear! He is a patient at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and updates to his journal can be found at:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/andreasknickman 

Andrea's good friend, Andrew Ceco (now a director on SKC board) came to Shred Kids' Cancer to try to do more to help his friend Andreas.  Now both Andrew and Andreas are helping out in many ways such as getting participants, donations, helping to get advertisements, and spreading the word!

ASHLEY JENSEN-PRAY

Shredfest 4 was dedicated to Ashley Jensen-Pray. In 2011 She underwent treatment at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA with a clinical trial that was supported by Shred Kids' Cancer! Ashley is now a director on the board of Shred Kids' Cancer and was our top fundraiser for Be Bold Be Bald 2012!  

 "I am so grateful for Shred Kids' Cancer making the worst experience of my life something much more than misery! I look forward to always being a part of SKC and helping other kids go through what I am going through"-Ashley Jensen-Pray, Shredhead

Our first Shredhead, pictured above is Alex Berson who was the inspiration for Shred Kids' Cancer. Alex was diagnosed six years ago with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  

Now at 18 years old, and off to college, Alex is doing great today thanks to a lot of hard work from the doctors at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. Alex helped spread awareness and his family served on the first board of directors of Shred Kids' Cancer.