Will Barrick
When Will Barrick, of Lewisburg, was 7 years old, he developed an earache that got increasingly worse. Trips to his pediatrician and local specialists showed no problems with his ear. He was referred to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital for more testing. An MRI showed a large tumor in Will’s head in close proximity to his eye, nose and ear.
It was thought to be a slow-growing cancer called lymphoblastic lymphoma, but less than a week later his pain increased and his eye turned inward toward his nose. Further testing of the original biopsy revealed that it was Burkitt’s lymphoma, the fastest-growing cancer. A new, more intensive treatment plan was implemented.
Following just two rounds of chemotherapy, the tumor had shrunk by 90 percent. Will finished treatment and is now cancer-free.
Now 11, Will is a regular participant in Camp Dost, a program of the Ronald McDonald House of Danville. Camp Dost, which is supported by donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger, allows kids with cancer and kids in remission to spend time together in a special camping experience.
