LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In the heart of the Las Vegas valley, a family of three was affected by childhood cancer.
The Dow family was just getting used to life as a family of three when they got the news that their child had cancer.
“Any kind of cancer is devastating,” James Dow said. “I think with childhood cancer it’s more of the helplessness and innocence of the children.”
Riley Dow was 9 months old when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer.
“When they first found the tumor, it was like a shock,” Dow said. “There’s a lot of disbelief and a lot of just ‘How is this possible?’ like she’s not even one.”
Just days after her first birthday, Riley underwent surgery to get her tumor removed. The surgery was a success, but that was not the end. After, came years of numerous screenings, multiple MRIs, and MIBG tests for tumor detection, all of which she had to be sedated for – a risk in itself for a small child.
“I still feel like there are times where I’m like, no that’s not a thing. That didn’t happen,” Dow remarked.