Celebrating the
Survivor in You!
Kennedy Branham:
PUTTING OTHERS
FIRST
by Beth McCrary
photo by K. Dalton
Z
ach Paquette’s favorite memory of playing baseball at Lexington High School is not the time he scored the winning run or made a great catch in left field. While those are special memories, his favorite is not a personal or team accomplishment on the field. photo by Steve Headde
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Zach’s best memory of playing varsity baseball is the time he, his teammates and coaches shaved their heads in support of Kennedy Branham’s battle to fight brain cancer. Their simple act of support during the 2012 season speaks volumes about the impact Kennedy is making in her community. Fifteen months after her diagnosis with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer on her 13th birthday, Kennedy continues to inspire all who know her story. Her current treatment regimen includes 15 day cycles of port infused and oral chemo to fight glio, a type of cancer rarely seen in children. Very few clinical trials exist to treat it in female children her age which makes it extremely hard to predict results. At the conclusion
of each clinical trial, an MRI is taken to determine what happens next. For Kennedy and her family it means a lot of unknowns and lots of waiting. Her last two MRI’s have shown that the tumor has remained stable. No growth in size, yet no decrease.
Pageant where she was crowned 2nd runner up for 8th grade and also won Miss Congeniality. She maintains a full schedule that includes her treatments, homebound schooling, and appearances at the many awareness and fundraising events hosted in her honor.
Kennedy’s mom Erin says, “Glio is a beastly and aggressive form of cancer. It is unpredictable and there are so many unknowns. These are the hardest parts of the battle.” She goes on to say the best part of this journey is watching the amazing transformation of who Kennedy has become. Once shy and reserved, she is now a social butterfly who is comfortable and confident with everyone she meets. Kennedy recently competed in Lexington Middle School’s Miss Wildcat
Over 300 people participated in the Run 4 Kennedy 5K hosted by the Lexington High School Varsity Baseball Team this past February 9th. The team, led by head coach Brian Hucks, has once again dedicated their season and pursuit of the 4A State Championship to Kennedy. Their motto is “Finish It For Kennedy”. Proceeds from the 5K enabled the team to present Kennedy’s family with a check for $10,000.00 to offset her medical expenses.
Through all of this Kennedy’s focus remains her faith, her family and others. She surprised everyone at the recent St. Baldrick’s event in the Vista where she decided to shave her newly grown in hair in support of other kids fighting cancer. She told her mom, “It’s not about me, it’s about them.” Every week at the cancer clinic, she trades in her points for stuffed animals to give to other kids who are newly diagnosed and fearful. Such grace, maturity and compassion is rarely seen in teenagers. For our town of Lexington, Kennedy Branham is not your typical teen. Follow Kennedy’s journey at www. facebook.com/pray4kennedy.
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