"Iron" Aiden Lipscomb earned his nickname over nine years ago. At that time, he donned diapers, a paci, and a medi-port. The port was implanted on the upper right side of his chest to support his cancer treatment.

Yes, Aiden, at only five-months-old, had cancer.

He was diagnosed with a rare type of pediatric soft tissue cancer called Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Roughly 350 new cases of RMS are reported each year and about 3% of all pediatric cancers are RMS. Aiden’s primary tumor was found in his diaphragm. The pleural fluid around the mass also tested positive. Fortunately, no distant metastases were found.

Aiden endured 54-weeks of aggressive chemotherapy, received 29 days of radiation, and underwent three surgeries. He spent countless days receiving in-patient treatment or needing emergent intervention. Needless to say, Inova Children’s Hospital was home. The physicians, nurses, techs, and support staff members did not only serve as his care team, they were family.

Today, Aiden is a spirited, and cancer-free, nine year old. He is active, smart, compassionate, and silly. Many describe him as an old soul. It makes sense; he withstood more in nine years of life than many have in fifty.

Aiden doesn’t remember a lot about treatment, which is a blessing. However, he does know of the kindness he received, and still receives, by everyone at Inova Children’s Hospital. For this reason, he is beyond excited to act as a 2019 StarKid Ambassador.

...and, let me tell you, Aiden is taking this honor very seriously.

Watch his ICH StarKid Ambassador video: https://youtu.be/Ml4tN4QQ2ig.

(Minute 1:55 through 2:10 stole my heart. Completely. No words.)

Please support Aiden in his effort to support Inova Children's Hospital!*

xx,

Leslie

*The proceeds from this event make a tremendous impact on patients, parents, and the community. In the past, funds have been used to purchase equipment, send staff to educational conferences, assist with patient education, and much more.