A Special Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Grant Recipient: Meet Damien Sloan

​​At Hope for Miracles, we are honored to support families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we are especially grateful to the Adirondack Foundation, in partnership with the Bill & Lisa Powers Family Fund, for making it possible for us to award two Wraparound Services Grants to deserving recipient families.

Today, we are proud to introduce our first grant recipient family—the Sloan Family.

Damien's Journey

On January 12, 2015, the Sloan family's world changed forever when their son, Damien Jasper James Sloan, was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma of the suprasellar region, a form of brain cancer, at just six months old.

In the years that followed, Damien's journey has been marked by extraordinary courage, perseverance, and resilience. Shortly after his diagnosis, he underwent a craniotomy to determine whether the tumor could be removed. Unfortunately, surgery was not an option, and Damien's fight against cancer truly began.

His treatment journey has taken him to some of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals and cancer centers, including:

Three rounds of chemotherapy at UVM Children's Hospital
Experimental treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
Second-opinion consultations at Boston Children's Hospital
Proton Radiation treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 2021

Today, Damien continues to travel to St. Jude annually for follow-up appointments, always hoping to hear the words every childhood cancer warrior longs for—that the battle has been won.

Alongside his cancer treatments, Damien continues to receive ongoing care through UVM Children's Hospital for hormone therapy needs. Despite facing significant challenges, including vision loss caused by his cancer, Damien has adapted with remarkable determination, learning to read Braille and continuing to move forward with strength and optimism.

A Well-Deserved Family Adventure

When asked how he would like to use his Wraparound Services Grant, Damien had a special wish: to experience The Great Escape's Fright Fest (formerly known as Horror Fest) with his siblings—an adventure he has never had the opportunity to enjoy before.

At Hope for Miracles, we believe that creating joyful family memories is an important part of supporting children and families facing medical challenges. We are thrilled that this grant will help make that experience possible for Damien and his family.

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Adirondack Foundation and the Bill & Lisa Powers Family Fund for helping us bring moments of joy, connection, and hope to families like the Sloans.

To Damien and the entire Sloan family: we wish you an unforgettable day filled with fun, laughter, and cherished memories at The Great Escape. More importantly, we continue to send our prayers, encouragement, and support as Damien continues his treatment journey and follow-up care.

Your strength inspires us all.

💛🎗️🙏

From all of us at Hope for Miracles, thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your journey. We are cheering for you every step of the way.

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