Sept. 11, 2014 | A Saturday of fun and play may be commonplace for many kids. But for those who have been diagnosed with cancer, even the simple moments take on special meaning.

That’s why, for the past three years, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has hosted a day of fun and celebration for pediatric cancer patients treated at its Radiation Oncology Center (ROC).

“When your child is diagnosed with cancer, your world turns upside down,” said Peter Emanuel, M.D., director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. “This event is just a small way that we can honor these kids for their courage and give their families the chance to relax and make some special memories.”

The third annual ROC Star Kids event was held Sept. 6 at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock’s River Market District. Families were invited to enjoy the museum’s exhibits, a special science show and lunch. The event was hosted by the UAMS Cancer Institute Auxiliary and the UAMS ROC, which is the only facility in Arkansas to offer specialized radiation therapy for children.

For Alexis Murray, the event was a welcome respite from her son’s ongoing health challenges. Diagnosed two years ago with medulloblastoma, a brain tumor that occurs most commonly in children, Lucas Hamilton underwent 30 rounds of radiation at the UAMS ROC, as well as surgery, eight rounds of outpatient chemotherapy and eight months of inpatient chemotherapy at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), an affiliate of UAMS.

“Lucas spent both his 12th and 13th birthdays and almost every holiday in the hospital,” Murray said. His weight dropped from 102 lbs. to 60 lbs. during the course of his treatment, and, at one point, he almost lost his battle due to a blood infection.

“His temperature reached 106 degrees and he coded for about three minutes before he was revived,” Murray said. Three weeks in the pediatric intensive unit at ACH followed before he was healthy enough to return home.

Now in the eighth grade, Lucas continues to improve with the help of occupational and physical therapy. His mom is thankful for the treatment he received and the compassion of the staff at UAMS and ACH.

“Everyone was sweet and kind to us. They talked directly to Lucas and made him feel comfortable. They made us feel like family,” Murray said.

Each ROC Star Kid in attendance received a T-shirt, glow stick bracelet and star-shaped bead for their Beads of Courage necklace. Beads of Courage is a program through which children with serious illnesses receive beads to represent milestones in their treatment.

The ROC Star Kids program began with the encouragement and support of Arkansas’ first lady Ginger Beebe, who attended this year’s event. Beebe’s granddaughter, Alexandria, was diagnosed at 11 weeks old with a tumor encircling her spinal column and was treated successfully at ACH.

Volunteers at the event included the Angels of Hope, a group of high school juniors sponsored by the 20th Century Club whose mission is to teach cancer awareness, encourage volunteerism and inspire leadership among teenage girls. The 20th Century Club’s Lodge provides free housing for cancer patients receiving treatment at UAMAS and other facilities throughout Little Rock.

In-kind sponsors of the event were Sweetlove bakery and Sticky Fingerz Rock ’N Roll Chicken Shack.