Very Important Patients
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Every parent’s nightmare is having a life-threatening illness strike her/his child. When that happens, the child is not only sick and inflicted with painful medical treatments, they are taken out of their home, school, sports field and away from their siblings, friends, relatives, and teammates. Tucker was fortunate that while he battled osteosarcoma, his family and friends lived nearby and visited him daily. During his weeks in the hospital, Tucker noticed that some children didn't have any visitors. He wanted to change that. Tucker knew that when he had visitors, he was distracted from his fears and his isolation. To honor Tucker's wish that all children have visitors, the VIP Program will make arrangements and cover the costs of getting every child's team by their side. |
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A note from Dana on how Team Tucker can help in the time of Covid-19
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Unfortunately, Covid-19 has made it impossible for any patient to have visitors, resulting in even more isolation for these children and their parents. But Team Tucker still wants to help! Thanks to our generous donors, we are here to assist in other ways that might make life a little easier or bring a little joy for patients and their families. We can:
I want to help. Tucker wants to help. Our donors want to help. Dana |
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Meet the Mikesh Family
Kyle and Alisha describe their son Lucas as full-of-life, smart, observant, and independent. A little boy who operated on two modes - either run or sleep. Lucas loved his family, was a natural fish in the water, and could not get enough hockey. For Lucas, anything and everything could be a hockey stick and if he needed skates, well, Alisha’s high heels would do just fine for that job. Not surprisingly, Lucas’s energy and charm drew kids and adults to him.
In June of 2019, at the age of 2 ½, Lucas’s battle with cancer began. What had seemed to be just an unusual mosquito bite reaction led to a diagnosis of stage 4 NMYC Amplified Neuroblastoma. Doctors informed Kyle and Alisha that this extremely aggressive cancer was spread throughout Lucas’s little body. An intensive blast of chemotherapy began just two days later at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, followed by a stem-cell transplant at the University of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital. Lucas stunned everyone by “smashing” through chemo, inspired by The Incredible Hulk. Shortly after treatments, Lucas would be “running the halls of the hospital like he owns the place,” according to Alisha. He never became sick from the chemo or lost his appetite, and he even insisted on cleaning his own Hickman Line. Similarly, Lucas made it through the stem-cell transplant like a superhero. His doctors described him as “off-the-charts amazing”. However, soon after, Lucas began experiencing very painful and life-threatening complications from the chemo. For the next 110 days, Lucas was in and out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and spent all but 30 days intubated for breathing support. Multiple organs were suffering, but his lungs were especially hard hit.
In June of 2019, at the age of 2 ½, Lucas’s battle with cancer began. What had seemed to be just an unusual mosquito bite reaction led to a diagnosis of stage 4 NMYC Amplified Neuroblastoma. Doctors informed Kyle and Alisha that this extremely aggressive cancer was spread throughout Lucas’s little body. An intensive blast of chemotherapy began just two days later at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, followed by a stem-cell transplant at the University of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital. Lucas stunned everyone by “smashing” through chemo, inspired by The Incredible Hulk. Shortly after treatments, Lucas would be “running the halls of the hospital like he owns the place,” according to Alisha. He never became sick from the chemo or lost his appetite, and he even insisted on cleaning his own Hickman Line. Similarly, Lucas made it through the stem-cell transplant like a superhero. His doctors described him as “off-the-charts amazing”. However, soon after, Lucas began experiencing very painful and life-threatening complications from the chemo. For the next 110 days, Lucas was in and out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and spent all but 30 days intubated for breathing support. Multiple organs were suffering, but his lungs were especially hard hit.
Throughout this time, Alisha and Kyle took time off of work to be with Lucas. They also appreciated the in-person support of friends and family members who live in the Minneapolis area and were able to visit regularly. The two nanas loved their time with Lucas, giving Alisha and Kyle a chance to shower and sleep.
In mid-February, doctors informed the family that Lucas had bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition in which survival depends on a ventilator and even then can involve many risks and complications. Facing the worst, Alisha and Kyle knew it was time to get all the family in to say their goodbyes to Lucas before taking him off of life support.
Team Tucker was able to help Alisha and Kyle during this unbearable time. The VIP program took on the logistical and financial burdens to make sure Lucas’ grandpa, aunt and uncle could fly to Minneapolis in time to say goodbye to their sweet grandson/nephew. The following week,Team Tucker made it possible for two more relatives to fly in to attend Lucas’ funeral.
In mid-February, doctors informed the family that Lucas had bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition in which survival depends on a ventilator and even then can involve many risks and complications. Facing the worst, Alisha and Kyle knew it was time to get all the family in to say their goodbyes to Lucas before taking him off of life support.
Team Tucker was able to help Alisha and Kyle during this unbearable time. The VIP program took on the logistical and financial burdens to make sure Lucas’ grandpa, aunt and uncle could fly to Minneapolis in time to say goodbye to their sweet grandson/nephew. The following week,Team Tucker made it possible for two more relatives to fly in to attend Lucas’ funeral.
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All sick children deserve to have their full team by their side when battling their illness. Parents deserve the support of that team too. Team Tucker is here to help no matter where a child is in their battle.
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"I never thought it would be possible to look up to a tiny human as much as I look up to this unbelievably strong little warrior that I am so blessed to call my son." - Alisha, February 20, 2020
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Meet Logan, Team Tucker's very first VIP!
Logan, catching trout for their dinner at Running Aces in Columbus, MN.
The family enjoyed a real VIP experience thanks to the very generous package that Running Aces provided! 
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Logan is a 16 year old boy who loves sports. He spent over three months at Masonic Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House during the summer of 2019 while receiving a kidney transplant and follow up care. Logan had his mom, Rochelle, by his side, but they both missed their family and friends from back home in southwestern South Dakota. Fortunately, Team Tucker was able to provide them with a visit in late June from several family members. Thank you to the businesses who partnered with us to make this visit possible for Logan's family!
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From Logan's Mom, Rochelle: We are from Kyle, South Dakota, which is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I heard of Team Tucker by visiting the hospital library and I read the information packet. Logan was admitted to Masonic Children’s Hospital on May 17, 2019 and discharged to the Ronald McDonald house on May 22, 2019. He was officially discharged [and able to return home] July 17, 2019. We were at the Ronald McDonald house for almost 3 months. The visit from our family allowed Logan to reconnect with his dad who has been out of the home for 2 years. I think this visit was the beginning of his healing process emotionally. The best part of the visit was being engaged in all the activities with our family. It was great to see Logan smile. To work with Team Tucker’s VIP program was the absolute best experience. They were all caring and compassionate towards us and really cared about Logan and his interests in sports and being with family. This was a memorable experience for all of us as a family. We would have never had this opportunity to be with our family without the help and support of Team Tucker. Team tucker really cares of about children and their families. Thank you Team Tucker for all that you do.
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Logan and Rochelle enjoying a Twins game at Target Field with Tucker's Teammate contributor Nolan and his mom
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