WEST VIRGINIA (Hinton News) – Kids deal with monsters every day. Everyone knows about the monsters under the bed or the ones hiding in the closet. Most people are familiar with playground bullies and other such situations. But there is one type of monster that, although dangerous, does not get talked about enough.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 9,910 kids, ages birth to 14 years old, will receive a cancer diagnosis in 2023. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and one little girl is celebrating beating the odds.
Over the last year, The West Virginia Daily News had the privilege of chatting with Aimee Baker, who, according to doctors, should have passed away months ago. Miraculously, the young teen is still able to enjoy her favorite pastime, scrapbooking, and experience adventures with her family.
According to Amiee’s parents, Korie and Todd Baker, she was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer, glioblastoma in 2021. Aimee underwent surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments, but doctors told the family there was nothing more they could do to stop the cancer growing in her head. Doctors believed she had weeks, maybe a few months, to live. However, Aimee has beat those odds and is still here in 2023.
Aimee attributes everything to her faith in God. She always says that if she brings one person to the Lord, it is all worth it. Aimee’s faith is enormous, big enough to take on her circumstances and help her fight this monster.
The Bakers were recently able to take Amiee on a beach trip. Korie said, “Even though Amiee didn’t go down to the beach but once, she was able to sit on the porch and watch the water, which that’s what she mainly wanted to do.” She went on to say that they were able to work with hospice to get a hospital bed for Aimee to use while on the trip so she could rest as she does at home.
Though the cancer remains a monster for Aimee, she has not been able to go see her Morgantown team for over a year. Korie said Aimee misses the team there greatly. So much so that Korie reached out to them. They have an appointment in Morgantown in October. Aimee also expressed wanting to take gifts for the children who are there fighting their own cancer monsters.
One of Amiee’s doctors from Monroe Health continues to check in on her weekly.
When asked what she had been doing lately, Amiee said, “I’ve been doing a lot of scrapbooking, drawing.” Despite her battles, Aimee is a kind, caring girl who wants nothing more than to enjoy her days doing what she loves and sharing her faith with those who will listen.
Korie stated that a recent conversation with a doctor at WVU Children’s Hospital indicated that the state does not have any funds earmarked specifically for childhood cancer research. She went on to say, “I think, nationwide, only 4% of cancer research goes to children.”
If anyone would like to donate toward Amiee’s care, there is a benefit account set up at the Bank of Monroe. Korie stated that they cannot use the funds for anything but Aimee. For example, if she runs out of scrapbooking supplies, they can use the money for that, or if Aimee wants something specific for dinner, that is also allowed. However, they cannot use the funds to pay for general groceries, bills or anything not directly tied to Aimee.
The American Childhood Cancer Organization estimates that around 400,000 children receive a cancer diagnosis globally each year. The organization further states that 42 families are given the most horrible of news every day. These statistics are too much. Even one per year would be too much.
WV KIDS Cancer Crusaders encouraged those in the Mountain State who support finding a cure to wear gold on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The Hinton News team wore gold on this date to support Aimee and all those fighting against this vicious monster known as childhood cancer.
For more information on this initiative, go to the WV KIDS Cancer Crusaders page on Facebook. To keep up with Aimee’s journey, check out the Aimee’s Adventure Facebook page.
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