When I was diagnosed with cancer in my 50s, I had the maturity to understand what was happening. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I was sad. But I knew what I had to do to beat the cancer. I often wondered, however, what children thought when they got sick. What did my 7-year-old brother think?

During my very first PET (positron emission tomography) scan, I was admittedly nervous to go through the small, dark tube where the machine takes images of your tissues and organs. This scan can detect cancer. You must lie still for about 45 minutes in this narrow tube. I kept thinking about Davey. What did he think? Was he scared? I remember that while lying in the dark, I started to cry. I cried for Davey, I cried for me, I cried for every child who was scared. I tried to stop crying because I knew movement would screw up the test.

So, I thought about my cat, Keith. I imagined myself tightly wrapped in a warm blanket with Keith snuggling up against me. I tried to breathe slowly to match his purring taking place in my mind. The thought of my beloved, snuggling cat calmed me down.

The entire experience gave me the idea for what is now the Keith the Cat Foundation. What if every child could wear a Keith the Cat shirt, socks, and warm hat during scary and lonely treatments, so the children knew they were not alone…that Keith was with them? When I came home from the medical appointment, I talked to my husband about my idea. He loved it, and that is how Keith the Cat was created.

Someone asked me what my dream for the Keith the Cat Foundation is. I answered that every child, adult, or caregiver would wear a Keith the Cat shirt to remind them…they are never alone.

RESOURCES

Whether you are looking for ways to help or need support, we have compiled a list of organizations that support children battling cancer.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Alex’s Lemonade Stand offers numerous services to support children and families, including Travel for Care and SuperSibs. They also fund impactful research and raise awareness about childhood cancer.
https://www.alexslemonade.org

The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS)

NCCS offers a wide array of programs to support children and families, including the Travel Assistance Fund, Emergency Assistance Fund, Family Support Program, Beyond the Cure Program, and Global Outreach Program.
https://thenccs.org/

National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF)

NPCF funds and develops novel research and clinical trials to find less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancer. In addition, they organize several fundraisers, including Hiking Funds the Cure, Fishing Funds the Cure, and Fashion Funds the Cure.
https://nationalpcf.org/

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Liz Sherman- Founder of the Keith the Cat Foundation

Elizabeth “Liz” Sherman is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M University and has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the past 25 years. Liz was hired as an imagery intelligence analyst covering regional and counterterrorism issues mostly in the African and Latin American regions.

She started the Keith the Cat Foundation to help those who are fighting cancer or any illness or battle. Her rescue cat, Keith, helped her get through her own battle with cancer. He was her constant companion who knew when she needed cuddles.

See all posts by Liz.