Kade was born on February 26th, 2015, and shortly after he was diagnosed with advanced stage Rhabdomyosarcoma.  It was extremely tough news to receive during a time that we were also very excited to have him joining our family.  The diagnosis started a battle with cancer that included multiple chemotherapy treatments, hospital stays, and surgeries over the next few months. 

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While we set out with the intent of doing whatever was needed to treat Kade’s cancer, we also wanted him, as well as our daughters Molly and Cally, 7 and 4 at the time, to continue living life as normal as possible.  During that time staff at the Roger Maris Cancer Center as well as the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo played a huge role in our lives.  Kade was very loved and well cared for throughout his journey, and that care extended to our entire family.  Molly and Cally had a great relationship with the doctors and nurses and were able to spend time with Sanford Child Life Specialists who related to them and explained what Kade would be going through in a way kids could understand.

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During spring and summer of 2015, it just so happened that extended hospital stays for Kade coincided with birthdays for both Cally and Molly.  Molly’s birthday is July 29th, which is also the day Kade lost his battle with cancer.  Sanford Child Life Staff was instrumental in helping by organizing Birthday Parties for them at the hospital to help bring normalcy during the toughest times of our lives.

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Kade’s journey happened shortly before Lighthouse Commodities was founded, but when Birthday Beacon became an important cause for the company, we were excited about the opportunity to honor Kade’s birthday since he was never able to enjoy a Birthday Party of his own.  Partnering with Sanford-Fargo Child life Specialists makes it even more rewarding as we have witnessed firsthand the support they offer families who are fighting battles no one should have to go through.