• 2011 Teen Variety Show has been cancelled due to the unavailability of key TAC volunteers.
  

• Next year's fundraiser will be held during summer. More detailed information will be available sometime in March or April.

1. Raise money to help our three charities:
   • Derek Hoffman Rhabdomyosarcoma Research Fund
   • M.D. Anderson Volunteer Program
   • Make-A-Wish Foundation
2. Empower teenagers to help young cancer patients by utilizing their
• time and effort
• talents
• creative skills
3. Promote awareness to communities around us that teens can make a concrete impact in:
• the development of improved cancer treatments for kids
• organizations that support pediatric cancer patients

A small step towards a big dream for

Rhabodomyosarcoma Cancer Research Fund

The Snap Shot article from National Cancer Institute stated that "Between infancy and 15 years of age, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children. Approximately 9,500 new cases of pediatric cancer are expected to occur in this age group in 2006." However, due to increased pediatric research funding and improved treatments, "mortality in the [invasive] cancer group has declined dramatically for many childhood cancers." Increased survival rate is extremely comforting to know but the statistics for patients with later stage cancer or rare form of cancers are still disappointing. That was the case for Jennifer's favorite cousin, Derek. According to American Cancer Society, "Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for about 3% of childhood cancers....About 60% of these cases are diagnosed in children under the age of 10." It is not surprising that research done on this particular type of cancer is much less than those cancers with higher incidence rate. When the available medicine did not work on Derek, he received new experimental drugs that were developed to treat more common types of cancers.

After losing Derek to cancer in September 2003, his parents, Yoon and Tom Hoffman, have set up a research fund (Derek Hoffman Rhabdomyosarcoma Research Fund) at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, to give hope to future pediatric cancer patients via more available treatments than what their son received. Jennifer is so eager to see their dream come true, because it is her dream also. The initial research fund establishment fee of $2500 was quickly amassed -thanks to Jennifer's 2004 fundraiser. Through generous donations from individual donors and Jennifer's fundraisers, the research fund has accumulated $50,000 as of August 2009. The goal of Teens Against Cancer organization is to financially support this research fund, so researchers will have the resources to develop effective treatments that can brighten the future of Rhbadomyosarcoma patients.

For the love of reading...

The Book-Man

When kids are weakened by strong chemo treatments, they often resort to no activities (i.e. sleeping, watching TV) or very low level activities.Understanding the needs of such group of young patients, M.D. Anderson -a hospital with state-of art cancer research programs -also provides a Reading Program to nurture the minds of these patients who lack the energy and spirit to even get out of their room sometimes.

During such down time, a visit from "Book-man" is a real treat for most kids. Jennifer is very thankful for the "Book-man's" relentless effort to get these young boys and girls excited about reading and providing them with books. She knows, as a result of Book-man's effort and the Volunteer Reading Program, countless kids like her late-cousin, Derek, have never lost the love of reading even though some have lost the battle with cancer.

It is the hope of Teens Against Cancer organization that M.D. Anderson's Volunteer Reading Program continues to provide more books to these young patients so their love of reading never stops. Jennifer and her friends are grateful for the opportunity to help the program financially through their annual fundraiser.

Make-A-Wish Foundation gift

For many years, Make A Wish Foundation has been generously helping countless children with life-threatening illnesses. Their compassionate work has touched many children's lives by providing them with unexpected surprise gifts and making their wish come true. Thanks to Make A Wish Foundation, Derek's wish for a puppy came true in the summer of 2003. This precious, few weeks old puppy -which Derek named, Shilo -was a perfect companion for him at that time. Derek loved to cuddle with Shilo and fall a sleep together.

Jennifer and her friends would like to extend their appreciation to Make A Wish Foundation for their effort in helping pediatric patients by donating part of the fundraiser proceeds to their organization. We hope that you will make a difference in pediatric cancer patients lives by supporting this wonderful foundation.

Bitter Sweet Time

Derek was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Rhabdomyosarcomas, only a day before his mom's baby shower. Although he wanted to be near his mom and dad to welcome the birth of his baby sister, Ashley, who was born two weeks later, Derek had to stay at the hospital to receive chemo treatments. When his new born sister, Ashley, finally came to visit him at the hospital, Derek was in complete joy and happiness -affectionately holding her in his arms.

Derek: Courageous, Smart, Funny

Derek was only five when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. After the initial surgery and large dose of chemo treatments, he continued his Kindergarten classes under Independent Study Program. His parents made sure that Derek was treated like any other kids, except when he was feeling weak from chemo. He excelled in school but if he had the choice, he would rather spend time figuring out how to build the latest and greatest lego set or figure out the best strategy to win various video games. Because he was so good at what he did, he could even challenge adults at their level.