{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F8ec350c2-7ab2-44d8-ae34-6d43499b8730","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"#153: The Legacy of Connor Cruse, Childhood Cancer, and How to Fight Like a Champion (with Joy Cruse)","description":"Connor Cruse was a rambunctious four-year-old boy who loved Bob the Builder, Power Rangers, swimming, fighting with light sabers, toy guns, sticks, and anything else he could get his hands on.\u00a0 In other words, Connor was just a normal little boy when\u00a0he was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma on May 15, 2005.\u00a0 Tumors were found around Connor\u2019s spine, behind his heart, and there was a nine-centimeter mass in his abdomen. \u00a0Cancer had spread to the bones in Connor\u2019s legs, pelvis, ribs, and shoulders.\u00a0 The prognosis was bleak.\u00a0 Doctors didn\u2019t hold much hope for Connor\u2019s long-term survival; however, they didn\u2019t know Connor was so brave and strong.
\nJust imagine fighting a fierce, four-year battle\u00a0that included more than 200 nights in the hospital, 14 surgeries, 40 blood transfusions, 25 rounds of chemo, two bone marrow transplants, and countless painful procedures.\u00a0 The\u00a0Cruse family traveled with Connor to specialists in Dallas, Houston, Boston, New York, and even Guatemala.\u00a0 Connor didn\u2019t complain.\u00a0 He was a valiant warrior with incredible faith.\u00a0 He was a fighter to the very end.\u00a0 His motto was, \u201cBe brave and believe in Jesus.\u201d
\nEven as Connor fought for his life, his parent\u2019s Joy and Tait Cruse were touched by how cancer affected other families they came in contact with during Connor\u2019s treatments.\u00a0 They \u00a0saw the emotional and financial\u00a0toll childhood cancer took on families.\u00a0\u00a0Joy and Tait\u00a0promised Connor they would do everything they could to keep other children from having to go through what Connor faced.\u00a0\u00a0The Cruse family established the TeamConnor Cancer Foundation in 2007 to help fund childhood cancer research.
\nConnor lost his four-year battle with cancer on July 10, 2009; but, TeamConnor continues to fight on in honor of Connor Cruse.
\nCancer kills more children each year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma, and AIDS combined; yet, the National Cancer Institute allocates only three percent of its budget to pediatric cancer.
\nTeamConnor has raised more than $2 million in its mission to find cures for childhood cancers.\u00a0 And the fight continues.\u00a0 All because of one inspirational little boy with a warrior\u2019s heart.
\n
\nEpisode #153 References:
\nMannatech, Inc. Website:
\nwww.mannatech.com
\nLexington Natural Health Center’s\u00a0Website (Dr. Belanger):
\nwww.lexingtonnaturalhealth.com
\n“Hope Transformed” by Joy Cruse, on Amazon.com:
\nhttp://buff.ly/2mrCtHv
\n
\nHow to Connect With Team Connor:
\nTeam Connor’s Website:
\nwww.teamconnor.org
\nEmail Team Connor:
\ninfo@teamconnor.org
\nHow to Connect With Joy Cruse:
\nEmail Joy Cruse:
\njoycruse@icloud.com
\nHow to Connect With Jarrod Warren:
\nEnjoy the podcast? Find The Success 101 Podcast on iTunes, subscribe, and give a 5-star rating:
\nhttp://buff.ly/1TXbYDv
\nThe Success 101 Podcast Website:
\nwww.success101podcast.com
\nEmail Jarrod Warren:
\ninfo@thesuccess101podcast.com
\nThe Success 101 Podcast on Facebook:
\nwww.facebook.com/success101podcast
\nJarrod Warren on Twitter:
\nhttps://twitter.com/WarrenJarrod
\n@WarrenJarrod
\nJarrod Warren on Instagram:
\nhttps://www.instagram.com/success101podcast/
\n","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/42fb1332-160e-4b2b-99c0-8b401a0eeb7b/artworks-000155995102-n55399-original-076.jpg"}