A shoulder to lean on

"My son, Zane, was nine years old when we got the news no parent wants to hear: 'Your child has cancer,'" says Heather Snyder, a registered nurse and mom to two active boys. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer, Zane underwent inpatient chemotherapy at Janet Weis Children's Hospital, where he continued treatment through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. His parents took turns staying with him whenever he was at the hospital, and they felt grateful they never felt alone thanks to the caring staff that surrounded them. "While the Children's Hospital became our home, those working there became our family. We were never without a shoulder to lean on." The Snyder's loved their team of pediatric nurses, resident doctors and child life specialists, like Ms. Barb. She was the staff teacher who kept Zane on track with his 3rd grade studies while he was in the hospital. In spring 2015, Zane finished chemo, and now the 11-year-old is in remission and busier than ever. His family recently made a donation to the Child Life program to support the hospital. "We felt the best way to say thank you was to give back," explains Heather. "This is not a journey you want to take, but at Geisinger, we had someone with us every step of the way." #GeisingerStories #CancerSurvivor