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In June of 2014, Clemson women’s basketball director Kathy Becker and her husband Pete received some of the scariest news about their child Colt. Soon after his first birthday, Colt was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare yet serious form of pediatric cancer. In a three part documentary put on by Clemson Athletics, entitled “Colt’s Corner,” viewers get a first-hand account of what this amazing family was forced to deal with. One of the episodes of “Colt’s Corner” specifically focuses on his diagnoses, and how Kathy and her husband dealt with that horrific day.

Diagnosing childhood cancer usually begins with certain signs or symptoms found in the child. Depending on the type of cancer, these signs and symptoms range from easy bruising, limping, and swelling, to a loss of overall energy and unexplained fevering. Once taken to the doctor, he or she will examine the child and possibly run a number of different tests. Imaging tests, blood and urine tests, CT scans, X rays, and biopsies are all possible when facing cancer diagnosis.

Colt’s own diagnosis began when his parents took him to see the pediatrician after they noticed he was very lethargic and had puffy red legs. After visiting the pediatrician and then the neurologist, Kathy and her husband went to Children’s Hospital where Colt was given a number of tests including an ultrasound. After the results came back, Kathy and her husband could do nothing but hug Colt and tell him how much they loved him. Although receiving the news that your child has cancer is a burden no mother or father should ever have to face, sometimes that is simply the hand we are dealt in life. With Kathy and Pete, the documentary described how strong they both became with this diagnosis. While the situation was incredibly grim, the Becker family, including Colt, became resilient in fighting this cancer.

For every episode of Colt’s Corner and more information on the Becker family, click here: http://bit.ly/1O0EV28

For more information on Cancer diagnosis in children, click here: http://bit.ly/1N5WwVw