I am going to make an awareness page about Pediatric Cancer. This page will be information
about my cancer and other cancers. There are so many kids with cancer, but no one really
hears about it. They say Pediatric Cancer is "rare", but nearly 1 in 300 kids in the US are
diagnosed with cancer.
I don't know when I will get this page done because I have a lot of summer homework to do
too as well as PT. Check back in a while.
In the meantime, I was a guest at a High School Science class, visited a couple of Elementary
School classes, was in a couple of newspapers, and rode in a parade to help raise
awareness. I am happy to have these opportunities because they give me a chance to talk
about Pediatric Cancer and get the word out. Cancer is the leading disease killer in children
in America. The more people hear about it the more they will care and donate money to help
find cures.
Thanks
-Malcolm

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:
Florham Park – There will be a new hero in town this Saturday, July 4, when Malcolm
Sutherland-Foggio rolls through the borough on the Florham Park Jaycees parade float.
Malcolm, an 11-year-old boy with big dreams, was diagnosed with pelvic Ewing’s Sarcoma
late last fall, said his mother, Julie Sutherland.
“One of those dreams is to be in the Florham Park 4th of July Parade,” said his mother.
“And the Florham Park Jaycees are making that dream a reality for him as they feature a float
this year with Malcolm aboard.”
Malcolm was 10 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.
Ewing’s sarcoma is a highly malignant pediatric bone cancer generally striking children
between the ages of 10 and 13. On rare occasions, it can also be diagnosed in adults. Like
some other forms of pediatric cancer, Ewing’s is a genetic “accident,” caused by a
transposition of the 11th and 22nd chromosomes, Julie Sutherland said. Ewing’s can be
found in any large bone and often in the leg bones.
Pain In Hip
“Malcolm had been experiencing a great deal of pain in his hip throughout the past fall, “
said his mother. “This initially seemed to have been an injury sustained while in camp with
his travel soccer team, Florham Park Earthquake.
“When treatment for a broken growth plate did not relieve the pain, he had an MRI just
after Thanksgiving, which revealed a very large solid tumor consuming his hip bone and
surrounding area.”
The family was sent immediately to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, (CHOP). His
mother noted “at such a scary time, we were thrilled to find ourselves in the midst of
superior orthopaedic and oncological care; if he stood a chance at survival, it would
certainly be at CHOP. We braced ourselves, and have not looked back.”
Malcolm has been battling bone cancer since the diagnosis. He went through several
months of chemotherapy to shrink the massive tumor in his hip before the doctors could
removed it.
Malcolm had surgery Tuesday, March 10, at CHOP. It was a hemi-pelvectomy. The ileum,
the large hip bone in the pelvis, tissue and some of Malcolm’s muscles were removed along
with the tumor.
Miraculously, as his mother said, the surgeon was able to remove the tumor completely
intact and with 100 percent clean margins, significantly increasing Malcolm’s odds of
survival and eliminating the need for radiation treatments on top of the chemotherapy.
Malcolm has just finished round 13 of chemotherapy and is scheduled to return to CHOP
for round 14 next week, his mother said.
“After three months of immobility, being in a body cast then a brace, he has begun the
arduous task of relearning to walk,” she said. “While the physical therapy is rough, Malcolm
is grateful that his surgeon, who pioneered this kind of surgery, was able to spare his leg
from amputation.”
Even before being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, Malcolm wanted to be a physician.
And this experience has only whetted his appetite.
“Dr. Dormans is my hero for saving my life and my leg, but one day I hope he also becomes
my mentor,” Malcolm said.
While battling cancer and enduring pain and immobility due to his invasive surgery,
Malcolm has continuously approached his cancer with courage, humor, and maturity, his
mother said.
He is a high honor student at The Peck School in Morristown and has attended classes
throughout the school year by skyping, which means to communicate via live internet video
conferencing. He skyped into his Peck classrooms through the assistance of a school
issued laptop with a video camera.
Still Studying
Whether he was at home, at CHOP, or even on the New Jersey Turnpike, Malcolm was in
class with his schoolmates via this video conferencing feature, his mother said.
“He was allowed to drop some courses, but managed to stay current and maintain his good
grades in those classes he kept, “ she said. “A remarkable feat for anyone going through
seven months of chemotherapy, major surgery and rehabilitation.”
Malcolm’s current career plan is to become a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon himself and
help children with cancer.
“I will be able to understand what they are going through and relate to them,” said
Malcolm.
Malcolm’s fight with cancer has taken him to the battleground raising funds and
awareness for pediatric cancer research.
“He has visited other schools to share his story and spread awareness,” said his mother.
“He sells his live-strong style wristbands, which he designed himself, for three dollars each
with all proceeds going to his oncology research fund at CHOP.”
To date, he has raised $10,000 for research, and has set a personal goal of raising $1
million to fight pediatric cancer in the lab.
“It may take me 10 years, 20 years, or maybe my whole life time, but it is a worthy cause,”
said Malcolm.
Pediatric cancer is considered rare, but statistically, one in 330 children in the country are
diagnosed with cancer. In addition to his fund at CHOP, Malcolm plans to incorporate a
private charitable Foundation in August, whose name and mission will be to “Make Some
Noise,” increase awareness on pediatric cancer, and primarily raise funds for research.
At the time of Malcolm’s surgery, the Florham Park Jaycees tied blue ribbons on all the
trees on his street, showing community support for both Malcolm and his family. The
Sutherland-Foggios said, “the Jaycees have been enormously helpful to Malcolm.”
At this point in time, Malcolm’s prognosis looks very good, but he will continue to have an
arduous journey, said his mother. Readers may visit his Web site for a comprehensive view
of his journey.
“Cancer sucks, but it has its perks,” said Malcolm. “Having a catastrophic illness opens
the door to opportunities you would not normally have.”
Riding in the parade is one of those very special perks, said his mother.
“He will remember this for a long time,” she added.
For information on Malcolm and his battle with cancer or to purchase a wristband, visit his
Web site at www.malcolmspage.net. For information on donating funds for pediatric cancer
research, visit the CHOP Web site at www.giving.chop.edu/goto/malcolmsfund
Florham Park boy rallies others in fight against cancer
JAKE REMALY • STAFF WRITER • September 7, 2009
FLORHAM PARK — After blues superstar B.B. King finished his show at the Community Theatre in Morristown last Tuesday night, a security
guard parted the crowd, saying, "Back up, back up."
The guard was making way for Malcolm Sutherland-Foggio, an 11-year-old Florham Park resident, to go backstage.
A cancer patient, Malcolm hadn't slept well in days because he'd recently fractured his leg while on vacation in Seattle. He was medicated and
in a wheelchair, his mom said Friday, recalling the backstage visit.
But Malcolm, who, like King, plays guitar, made it to the concert and a theater manager then arranged the meeting.
King, who is 83, also was in a wheelchair. He gave Malcolm some guitar picks and let him touch his guitar, Lucille.
Tina France, King's manager, said King joked, "Whose wheelchair is faster?"
Connecting with famous musicians could prove useful for Malcolm, who starts sixth grade at The Peck School in Morristown next week. He
plans to create a foundation that will organize benefit concerts to raise money for researching pediatric cancer. He said he's considering
naming the foundation Make Some Noise, Cure Kids Cancer: Malcolm's Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research.
In the meantime, he's selling wristbands for $3 each, with money raised going toward a fund for pediatric cancer research in his name at The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where Malcolm is a patient. Malcolm's battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a bone cancer, began in fall 2008. A
tumor on his hip and much of his hip were removed and he underwent chemotherapy. Next, doctors will see if the cancer is in remission. After
his surgery in March, the Florham Park Jaycees tied blue ribbons up and down Elm Street, where Malcolm lives, in a show of support. Malcolm
also rode in the Jaycees' July 4 parade float.
"Some parents think their kids can never get cancer, and it happens," Malcolm said.
One in roughly 320 kids develops cancer by age 20, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Malcolm said his fight with cancer has taught him his body can learn to tolerate once painful procedures.
"What used to hurt a lot doesn't even hurt me any more," he said, using blood draws as an example. "But what hurts a lot hurts a lot."
He plays guitar and is a classic-rock fan. He's learned the introductions to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and Jimi Hendrix's "Purple
Haze."
Malcolm has two older brothers, James and Harry. His mom is Julie Sutherland and his dad is Robert Foggio. Malcolm likes root beer and
particularly enjoys studying history and science. He said he's looking forward to seeing his friends at The Peck School on Wednesday.
John Kowalik, the school's headmaster, said students, faculty and parents have been amazed by Malcolm's positive attitude and resiliency,
and by how he's open about his sickness to educate others and raise money for research.
"He's certainly been an inspiration not only for his class, but our entire school," Kowalik said.
When Malcolm plays others online on the Xbox 360 video game system, he uses a name that references his battle with Ewing's Sarcoma: "Mr.
One Hip."
"You can tell I came up with it after my surgery," he said.
He has a Web site, www.malcolmspage.net.
"It was initially to keep friends and family updated," Malcolm said. But now others fighting pediatric cancer have used it as a resource to learn
about pediatric cancer, and Malcolm has used it as a way to sell wristbands, which can be ordered by e-mailing his mom through the Web site.
He said as a result of the Web site he has received words of support from people all over the world.
Jake Remaly: 973-428-6621; jremaly1@gannett.com

