Meet our Hero

Pierce Phillips

Pierce Phillips was born in July 2007 to Scott and Brandi Phillips. Pierce was an easy-going child, and people often referred to Pierce as an “old soul” because of his demeanor and captivating eyes that seemed to be full of wisdom. Pierce enjoyed riding his fire truck, watching Shrek, and hanging out with his mommy and daddy.

Diagnosis

At 13 months old, Pierce was diagnosed with an especially deadly form of cancer: Neuroblastoma. While only 7% of all childhood cancer cases each year, it accounts for 15% of all deaths. Children with the high-risk form of the disease have less than a 30% chance of long-term survival.

Treatment

Pierce received treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. While there, Pierce underwent induction therapy, including five cycles of high-dose chemotherapy, surgery, 14 rounds of radiation, and immunotherapy with high doses of Accutane. The next step in treatment for this 15-month-old child was a high-risk protocol, referred to as 3F8 in the medical community, which took him to the brink of death more than once. After these aggressive treatments, Pierce achieved NED status (no evidence of cancer was detected.) His family spent the next few months at home in Oklahoma with their healthy son and enjoyed the simple everyday life that parents should be able to experience with their child.

Earned His Wings

Unfortunately, Neuroblastoma has over a 50% relapse rate, and during an emergency bowel surgery, the doctors discovered that cancer had returned. Pierce underwent salvage chemotherapy, which did not affect his disease, and he developed another bowel obstruction within weeks of having emergency bowel surgery. At this point, the Neuroblastoma had affected Pierce’s vital organs, and his parents had to make a decision that no parent should ever have to make. With no real options left for Pierce, Brandi and Scott decided to stop treatment and take him home to enjoy every minute they could to love Pierce in his final days. In the arms of his mother and surrounded by family, Pierce earned his angel wings in October 2009.

Pierce was indeed a one-of-a-kind child and touched many lives in a short time. He taught his mom and dad the true meaning of courage and strength. Pierce took on life with a smile, and even in the toughest of battles, he gracefully handled each journey.

Our Mission

Why We Do What We Do

Watching a child battle cancer will change your life. But, to watch a child receive adult-level treatments is one of the most gut-wrenching, sobering moments one can encounter. To make real progress in childhood cancer, Pierce Phillips Charity firmly believes that funding must be directed toward research that will develop new and innovative ways to attack and destroy cancer in children. The data, the technology, the brilliant scientists and doctors are out there – they need funding to change history and give children a fighting chance. PPC is excited to join some brilliant partners in helping guide us in making a real difference in the childhood cancer community.

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