Our Story: My name is Patrick Deasey and I am 18 years old. Michael and Shannon and I are triplets! When we were 7 weeks old, our parents found out that Shannon and I had retinoblastoma, tumors in our eyes, and we were treated at Children’s for them with radiation every day for 8 weeks while Michael went to my Auntie Ree’s. My dad had the same retinoblastoma, but his stopped without treatment.

My parents knew that there might be side effects of the radiation or a re-occurrence, but never expected it to happen to me. Last summer, on a college visit trip, my nose began to bleed uncontrollably and the worst was confirmed as I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone tumor) in my nose. I had surgery and they did their “business” in my nose to remove the tumor, which could have spread rapidly, and then I came to Children's for chemo. Previously, I had been coming to Children's every year for follow up visits, and now Dr. McAllister oversees my chemo and care. I am going to be honest, chemo sucks, and my odds of getting this cancer was only .6%. I wish there was a way to connect with other teens who were going through chemo the same time that I was. I did chat a few times with another girl at Children's which was comforting. Finally, I made it through chemo and am now back to baseball and high school graduation! In the fall, my brother, sister and I are headed to the University of Notre Dame.

Thank you to my family, my friends, my doctors, and Children's Hospital.

Families Giving Back: Upon diagnosis, the Deasey family wanted to do something to thank Children's Hospital for taking care of them as infants and again during Patrick's battle with Osteosarcoma. Michael and Shannon sold rubber cause bracelets with Patrick's initials "PJD" and "Faith Fight Believe" inscribed, at school events; Ann Deasey, Patrick's mom and a long time volunteer with the Madeline Chapter of Children's Hospital Association has raised funds thru friends and the Showcase of Homes. In November 2011, the Deasey’s, through Michael and Shannon’s fund raising made a generous gift of $5,134 benefitting Hematology and Oncology programs at Children's Hospital for research and education.

Many days while in the hospital having chemo, Patrick was tired and sick, but occasionally he felt well enough to get out and about. A place to keep up strength and meet other teens while being treated in a "kids" hospital would be a great addition to Children's. An exercise bike would be a great start towards a teen lounge.

Will you help us raise the funds for an exercise bike on the Oncology Floor at Children's Hospital? Please share this story with your networks.