Following the unforeseen shooting in Orlando, Democrats demand for reform on gun control laws. After an over 24-hour sit-in on the House floor, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) clutches onto Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) as he addresses reporters and protestors, promoting their aggressive campaign towards strict gun laws on June 23, 2016.
Hundreds come together in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. on June 13, 2016 for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of the deadly attack in Orlando, Fla. A couple shares the comfort of a warm embrace as the names of the victims are read aloud.
Former President Barack Obama enjoys a round of golf in Rockville, Maryland on Sunday, June 26, 2016.
After losing his leg in a car accident, Jake Dahreddine, 21, surpasses the physical limitation of having one leg by conquering difficult tasks overlooked by able-bodied human beings. Dahreddine does not let his disability keep him from reaching his potential, as exemplified by climbing an old stump that used to house a tree swing he would use as a child with lifelong friend Will Guerry. In successfully ascending the tree stump independently for the first time on July 31, 2016, Dahreddine epitomizes perseverance against all odds.
The 5th Annual Syracross Cyclocross Race took place on October, 31, 2015, encouraging both racers and spectators to dress up for Halloween.
Lola Muñoz, 12, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) on August 26, 2016. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is 9-12 months. In 40 years, none of the over 250 clinical trials have shown any benefit of survival. October 31, 2016.
Baking and cooking are Lola’s passions. She often cooks homemade meals and treats for her family from scratch. Lola’s mother, Melissa Muñoz, helps Lola make icing for cupcakes while Lola’s father, Agustin Muñoz, oversees. October 27, 2016.
Lola and her friends play with Siri on her phone on November 4, 2016. Lola attempts to maintain normalcy by hosting a slumber party.
Lola signs autographs for her family and friends during her Make-A-Wish event on November 13, 2016. Because of her love for cooking, The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York gave Lola the opportunity to judge her own cooking competition, inspired by the Food Network TV show “Chopped.” In Lola’s World Class Food Festival, there were two rounds to the contest, where Lola selected her secret ingredients for the chefs to use.
Lola’s parents did not agree on a treatment plan for Lola, which revolved around the decision between quality of life and quantity of life. Agustin and Melissa gave Lola all the information from the doctors and let her decide for herself. The treatment Lola decided on includes radiation therapy as well as a drug trial regimen at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is a clinical trial to find out if a combination of two oral chemotherapy drugs, crizotinib and dasatinib, is safe for participants with DIPG after receiving radiation therapy. There is no cure and no guarantee the drugs will have an effect on Lola’s tumor. Lola decided to do the treatment not for herself, but for the future of DPIG. “I’d rather help find something for the other kids that will get DIPG then to not help at all,” she said. November 2, 2016.
Childhood cancer receives 4% of U.S. federal funding for cancer research and only 1% of this goes to DIPG. Lola is the first patient to qualify for Phase I of the clinical trial at St. Jude. The goal is to find if the child can withstand the side effects under the highest possible dose. December 16, 2016.
Lola’s raging headaches became a sign of possible swelling in her brain, triggering uncertainty in her progress during the trial. Dr. Broniscer orders an MRI for Lola to see if the tumor has shrunk on December 15, 2016.
Melissa Muñoz comforts Lola before bed while admitted to the hospital on December 16, 2016 after contracting an infection.
On November 12, 2016, Lola began to experience hair loss, one of the many side effects from her treatment.
Lola has a hard time coming to terms with taking crizotinib in its liquid form, due to the bitter taste. On December 18, 2016, Lola threatens to give up and stop the treatment because she cannot handle the taste. Melissa discovered that dousing the medicine in chocolate syrup seemed to help Lola keep the medicine down. If she vomits within 30 minutes, she has to take a second dose.
Though her appetite has decreased since stopping the steroids, Lola felt up to eating meals during her stay at St. Jude, in which Melissa continues to instill the importance of prayer. Melissa notes that religion has kept her grounded in coping with Lola’s diagnosis. December 15, 2016.
Lola gets her vitals checked during a monthly visit to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital on February 8, 2016. Prior to the visit, she had taken her daily dosage of lorazepam, a drug used to help with anxiety and nausea, causing her to often experience loopiness.
Though cooking is one of Lola’s favorite pastimes, Lola feels too exhausted to even stand for a few minutes and decides to leave the kitchen to sit down. Lola’s medications make her very fatigued to the point that going from room to room wears her out. Melissa is considering getting Lola a wheelchair. February 3, 2017.
Lola begins experiencing tenderness in her chest, a sign of puberty. Melissa decides it is time for Lola to purchase her first bras, making sure she feels comfortable wearing them with the ways the medication has created changes in her appearance. March 8, 2017.
Lola has difficulty falling asleep at night due to the side effects from the steroids. Her inconsistent attendance in school has left her out of touch with classmates as she battles to keep DIPG from limiting her childhood. The uncertainty with how much time Lola has left to live leaves the family on edge. November 5, 2016.
