Emma's Story: One Girl's Two-time Triumph Over Wilms' Disease (2012)

Emma Wheeler, of Rehoboth Massachusetts, is a two-time Wilms' pediatric cancer survivor. Wilms' tumor, or nephroblastoma, is cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, and rarely in adults. Its common name is an eponym, referring to Dr. Max Wilms, the German surgeon (1867--1918) who first described this kind of tumor. Approximately 400-500 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. The majority (75%) occur in otherwise normal children; a minority (25%) are associated with other developmental abnormalities. It is highly responsive to treatment, with an initial success rate of about 90%. Emma fell into the minority and unfortunately her Wilms' relapsed, causing her parents Joshua and Jennifer to make the difficult decision of choosing to take Emma to Chicago for a double stem-cell transplant. Emma's transplant was successful and her cancer has since been in remission. The Pablove (pablove.org) Foundation, founded by Jeff and Jo Ann Castelaz in honour of their son Pablo - who sadly passed on after his valiant battle with Wilms', played a fundamental role in helping both Emma and the Wheeler family through their ordeal. Please support the phenomenal Pablove Organization and help children afflicted with this horrible disease. This is 'Emma's Story'. A short film by Anthony M. Tooton with music by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam.