Child finances his cancer treatment with terrifying clown drawings

[proud2BlibKansan]

Every so often, we need a story to remind us of humanity's astonishing power to take even the silly, trite parts of our lives and turn them to our advantage. Early philosophers referred to this spiritual transubstantiation as "Being Fucking Metal." This is such a story.

Last September, Aidan Reed, 5, of KC, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Luckily, Reed's diagnosis has a 90 percent cure rate, if treated with a lot of nasty procedures such as chemotherapy and spinal taps that are as costly as they are unpleasant. The mounting hospital bills forced his family to put their house on the market, and they faced financial ruin before finding an unlikely source of revenue: Reed's drawings.

As Reed lay in his hospital bed in between painful treatments, he passed the time by filling up sketchpads with thousands upon thousands of clowns and zombies and aliens. Reed's big sister, Mandi Ostein, came up with the idea of selling some of Reed's artwork online, not really expecting to sell more than a few dozen prints.

Today they've sold a reported 2,460 pieces for a total of more than $30,000, with buyers in countries including Japan, Italy and Brazil. They were able to take their house off the market.

more . . . http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2011/05/child_finances_his_cancer_treatment_with_terrifying_clown_drawings.php

[ChazII]

1. Good for Aiden. n/t

[Nye Bevan]

2. The phrase "child finances his cancer treatment" embodies what is tragically wrong

with our healthcare system. No child should *ever* have to "finance his cancer treatment".

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Amen

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. We live in such an unbelievably uncompassionate society. Not in small ways. Lots of people will

toss change into a Unicef can. But in larger systemic ways, like with universal single payer health care.

We're a very dysfunctional nation that way. *sigh*

[mountainlion55]

18. Screw you

I got mine is a popular concept in this country. Its mean and shortsighted but it thrives. These where supposed to be my golden years now I just hope to survive.:smoke:

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. Yep. That plus, "Don't hurt the rich, I plan on being one of them someday!."

[murphyj87]

5. This is one of the reasons.....

This is one of the reasons (despite the lies you've heard) that one of the many cancers which are more successfully treated in Canada (with a universal single payer system) than they are in the United States is childhood leukemia.


In 2007, Gordon H. Guyatt et al. conducted a peer reviewed meta-analysis, or systematic review, of studies that compared health outcomes for similar conditions in Canada and the U.S., in the medical publication "Open Medicine".

They concluded, "Available studies suggest that health outcomes may be superior in patients cared for in Canada versus the United States, but differences are not consistent." Guyatt identified studies addressing conditions including cancer, coronary artery disease, chronic medical illnesses and surgical procedures. Of the 10 studies with the strongest statistical validity, 5 favoured Canada, 2 favoured the United States, and 3 were equivalent. Overall, results for lower mortality favoured Canada with a 5% advantage.

[W_HAMILTON]

6. I had intended to purchase one of his drawings last year...

...when I first heard about this story. The holidays came, I got busy, and I put it off and eventually forgot about it.

Your posting of this story reminded me that I had an obligation I needed to fulfill :) I went to try to purchase one of his drawings, but it looks as though they have stopped selling them. Instead, I just made a regular donation through their site, asking them to (1) bring back the drawings for purchase! and (2) support healthcare for all so that people can focus on getting better rather than worrying about whether or not they can afford the necessary treatment to get better.

[bobbolink]

10. That was thoughtful, and thank you for including the request they speak out about healthcare.

It may take them a while to do it, but they would be a strong voice.

Thank you.

[area51]

7. This is not a civilized country.

If we were civilized, health care would be a basic human right.

Each day, 273 people die due to lack of health care in the U.S.; that's 100,000 preventable deaths per year.

We need single-payer health care, not a welfare bailout for the serial-killer insurance agencies.

We don't need the GingrichCare of mandated, unregulated, for-profit insurance that is still too expensive, only pays parts of medical bills, denies claims, bankrupts and kills people.

Republinazi '93 plan:

"Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005."

"We will never have real reform until people's health stops being treated as a financial opportunity for corporations."

"Employer-based health insurance has always been a bad idea. Your life should not depend on who you work for." -- T. McKeon

"Any proposal that sticks with our current dependence on for-profit private insurers ... will not be sustainable. And the new law will not get us to universal coverage ...." -- T.R. Reid, The Healing of America

"Despite the present hyperbole by its supporters, this latest effort (in health care reform) will end up as just another failed reform effort littering the landscape of the last century." --John Geyman, M.D., Hijacked! The Road to Single Payer in the Aftermath of Stolen Health Care Reform

[Jefferson23]

8. In the last 24 hours Aidan’s story has apparently taken off again!

As far as Aidan’s health he is doing very well. He takes his chemo in pill form now and has not had to spend time in the hospital since November, his treatments are going great. His hair is finally growing back and getting longer and longer every day. (Aidan says he wants rock and roll hair, haha. )

If you would like to follow regular updates on Aidan you can do so at Aid for Aidan on Facebook.

Love,

Aunt Mandi

http://aidforaidan.wordpress.com/





No public option b/c the barbarians own D.C.

[Brickbat]

9. Now that's what I call bootstraps! Not only that, this illustrates the potential of the untapped

market of childhood cancer patients. If one kid can think up such an idea, what other moneymakers are out there? Anyone want to start buying and selling advance futures on kid-cancer oil paintings?

[Contrary1]

11. What a cutie he is.

Good on you, Aidan!

[bobbolink]

12. I just read this story to a 91-year-old here, and when I said that it is something

that in the richest country in the world, a 5-year-old has to figure out a way to pay for his own cancer treatments, he said, "That is a type of murder."

I agree with the 91-year-old.

SHAME, United States.

USA! USA! In-fucking-deed.

[Marrah_G]

13. We have such a fucked up health care system

[Javaman]

14. That was my first thought as well.

Basically, bake sales for health care.

[bobbolink]

16. 7-11 collection jars for health care.

But the Dems can't wean themselves away from corporate $$$$$$$$

[Initech]

15. Yes yes we do.

For profit health care = worst system ever.

In fact that's what the show Breaking Bad is about - a guy makes and sells crystal meth to pay for his treatments. That is fucked up!

[mountainlion55]

17. Its cool art

and congratulations young man. Stories like this point out the desperate need for medi-care for all. Cut out the middleman insurance corporations. They are nothing but unhealthful parasites. Oh was that to mean? To Fricken bad insurance man!:smoke:

[Modern_Matthew]

19. This child has seriously has some strong bootstraps. Children of the world take notes!

:sarcasm:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

20. may I point out, it was his sister who came up with the idea and took action

Kudos to HER for being smart and knowing how to take a little kid's drawings and save her family....

I wish everyone in need had such help and success.

[Melinda]

22. Aiden's website:

http://aidforaidan.wordpress.com/ :)