In 2008, I lost my sixteen-year-old daughter, Taylor, to pediatric cancer just days after she first received an innovative immunotherapy treatment in Germany. We travelled overseas because

Westchester teen makes a difference, 10 years after her death Karen Croke, kcroke1@lohud.comPublished 11:03 a.m. ET May 10, 2018 | Updated 12:50 p.m. ET May 10, 2018 Taylor

Lobbying Days   Under the umbrella organization Alliance for Childhood Cancer, hundreds of pediatric cancer advocates banded together last week in Washington DC. Along with fellow advocates,

A Day of Gold Every year, February 15 is known as International Childhood Cancer Day – a day to increase awareness of pediatric cancer, support families in

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ~Winnie The Pooh In the Autumn of Taylor’s tenth grade year she looked every

A portion of all author proceeds from the sale of my memoir, Paint You Hair Blue, will be donated to the Taylor Matthews Foundation. Pre-order at www.paintyourhairblue.com

  You know that awful smell that hits you the second you walk onto a patient floor in a hospital. You can probably smell it now just

The buzz about the New York City Marathon is starting. It reminds me of the last time I ran the marathon which was in 2009, the exact

On Taylor’s 25th birthday, my husband and I continued our tradition of bringing balloons to the cemetery along with flowers to plant around Taylor’s gravestone. I tied

Even as a very young child, Taylor’s day was not complete unless it involved a lot of fun and at least a little bit of mischief. She

Taylor’s presence was always larger than life. Her smile, her humor, her mischievous eyes, and her life loving energy filled every room. The only thing as large

When people ask me what I do, they don’t know how to respond when I tell them I fight for increased awareness and funding for pediatric cancer.

We are a family that lost a beloved daughter and sister at the unthinkable age of 16. Our lives have been a journey of managing illness, grieving,

When a child is sick, many kind people ask how they can help. And my advice on the issue is simple: let them. Throughout the years of

  The goal of the 2017 Childhood Cancer Action Day was to meet in person with Members of Congress and staff to share our stories and show

Even during the bleakest periods of Taylor’s illness, there was nothing so life affirming as a full-on belly laugh. Right then, right there: in the hospital room,

COG Update on Pediatric Cancer Research Dr. Reaman In children less than 15 years of age, cancer differs considerably from cancer in adults. These differences include the

The years spent tending to Taylor and then grieving her death were largely spent in the hospital or at home. After Taylor passed away, it was really

Anniversaries are memory markers – usually joyful and festive occasions that make us feel proud and content with our lives. However, when it’s the anniversary of your

One of Taylor’s favorite days of the year was Valentine’s Day and there is no holiday that sums her up better. Taylor was all about love. To

Whether it’s good or bad, change is difficult and disorienting. And even more so for those facing life crises. There’s no question that illness in the family

The end of a year always brings a period of looking back and looking ahead. What kind of year did I have and what am I looking

While you need your friends and family more than ever when illness strikes, nothing disconnects you more than illness. With a sick child, your life is taken

It has been a great week for pediatric cancer policy.  This week the STAR Act was passed by the House of Representatives and now proceeds to the

While life seems to rain a little harder on some than others, nobody is exempt from tough times. We expect challenges and only hope they pass quickly

“Life is a gift, life is happiness. Every minute can be an eternity of happiness.”                       ~Fyodor

  For a long time after Taylor’s death I vacillated between being unable to look at her room and unable to leave her room. Everything about that

Mother’s Day is near universal in its observance with cards, flowers, and family get-togethers. But the day has vastly different meanings for people at different stages of

When a child is sick, nobody but Mom or Dad will do. And you wouldn’t have it any other way. But when that illness is serious and

People frequently ask me how I stay connected to the world of pediatric cancer after having lost a child to the disease. My answer is simple: how

I do not need a calendar to know the day Taylor died. I can smell it coming, I can feel it in the air, I would know

Conquering Kidz Cancer is proud to carry on Taylor’s mission and fight as hard as she did in her honor. We ask for your help. No gift

  There are no words that can do justice to the pain of losing a child. It is a nightmare come true and changes your life in

  After hearing the words “your child has cancer” your life is turned upside down. You and your family have entered a place from which escape is

  It is very difficult to go to school, or do much of anything, while undergoing treatment for cancer. For parents, it is a constant judgment call

Chemotherapy and food are frequently at war. While patients undergoing treatment need to stay strong and keep their weight up, it is often impossible to keep much

A day in the hospital with a sick child can be very long. Hours are wasted waiting for doctors who are naturally late, procedures and especially scans

Time spent in the hospital for a sick child can be endless. The surroundings are unpleasant, unfamiliar, frightening and boring. Waiting for doctors, procedures and scans can

Our household was lovingly kept afloat by the kindness of neighbors who brought dinners, drove the kids to school, even picked up our clothing at the dry

When Taylor had her first relapse, she needed a little space and wanted to manage it privately. She knew love and support were there for her, but