My son Jasper Allen Dean Swafford at 5 months old was diagnosed with B cell infantile acute lymphoblastic leukemia KMT2A-r. After car-T and first BMT, he switched to AML KMT2A-r. It is beyond words. Watching our son fight cancer and beat it three times, the procedures, vomiting, crying, holding your child down while they scream through dressing changes and procedures; having my son die in my arms.

You can't imagine the pain and turmoil it has caused. Not only for us as his parents, but his siblings, our extended family, friends and loved ones. Seeing first hand how our children are fighting and the pain it causes is enough. Watching your children so sick, being pumped full of poison, to “cure” them. Unfortunately, Jaspers’ cure is what killed him. His last transplant was successful. Jasper was cancer free when he passed. His chemo is what took him from us. The side effects are maddening. We need more gentle treatments. And more funding from the federal government to do so.

ALL KMT2A and AML KMT were his diagnosis. My husband had to take months off work. I had to quit my job to stay with our son 24/7 while breastfeeding him. So we had no income. Jasper passed at 21 months old. We are a part of a group of families who have lost their children as well. Among many other fighters. We all know what it's like, so we can all support each other.

A little over a year of hurting since you’re not here. We hoped and prayed for the day you’d ring that bell and hear those words, “You’re cured!” That day came in a different way. Jasper rang the doorbell to Heaven’s gate and Jesus said, “Come home, my son; you’re cured!” We think about you every day! We love and miss you so much, Jasper!

It has been formally estimated in 2022 that over 15,600 children will be diagnosed with childhood cancer, and 1,780 will die of the disease in the United States. Research from the National Cancer Institute on statistical data about childhood cancer paints a gruesome picture of how childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States. Further, brain cancers are the second most common form of childhood cancer, accounting for over 20% of all cases.

You can help by signing this petition, you will be sending a compelling message to Congress to pass federal laws that mandate relevant federal institutions and agencies to increase their spending on childhood cancer research from 4% to 8%.

These children are our future and they deserve the world. Let’s come together and give them a better chance to beat these childhood cancers and have less harsh treatment.

ARGENTA, ILLINOIS