Over this last week, the media and online websters have come across the story of Noah Biorkman, a five year old boy who is dying of neuroblastoma and would like to receive as many Christmas cards as he can before he passes on. Though Doctor's do not think that Noah will make it to December 25, his family is cellebrating Christmas in the middle of this month, November of 2009.

I am a little embarassed to admit, that though I am awed by the stregnth of this litle boy, I hardly knew anything about his disease, I only heard or read that it was cancerous and there is a 0% survival rate among children.

This article is to help us, as people who care about little Noah either directly or as most of us, indirectly, to undestand what he is going through.

Neuroblastoma is  the most solid cancer that occurs in small children and infants, and more than 600 children per year are diagnosed with it.

It is caused by a neuroendocrine tumor normally originating in the adrenal glands, though it can originate from other parts of the body. In Noah's case, type 4 of this cancerous disease, it originates in the limbs.

Though in rare instances, neuroblastoma can spontaneously regress unto a benign appearance, there is no cure yet for this child-killing cancer.

Early symptoms of this disease are common symptoms: fatigue, no appetite or fever, making diagnosing neuroblastoma often difficult.

Most later symptoms will include:

* a swollen stomach or constipation if the tumor is in the abdomen

* inability to walk or crawl if the tumor is in the spinal cord

* limping if legions are in the legs (as they are with Noah)

* breathing problems if the tumor is in the chest

* other signs of swelling for no apparent reason on the body.

Though Noah has rightfully been the center of attention for this disease the last few days, there is another little boy, Chase Ringler who has battled neuroblastoma the last 2 years.

Though I could not find a physical address, you can contact his family at wringler@sc.rr.com.

A website is online to celebrate Chase and to invite people to donate to neuroblastoma research. Consider donating in these heroes' honor as you send your Christmas card to Noah. Though it may be too late for little Noah, there are many other children who could benefit from your holiday miracle.