Reagan Sisson was a perfectly healthy nine year old girl, active in swimming, basketball, soccer and piano, along with K-Kids at her school. In the spring of 2014, mid-way through her 3rd grade year, she started complaining of vague abdominal pain. Her pediatrician identified a mass in her abdomen and was diagnosed with a stage 3 Germ Cell Tumor in her abdominal region. Originally it was believed to be a Teratoma, which 99% of the time is a benign tumor. Reagan underwent the first surgery at Ochsner in New Orleans, but as the surgeon began he quickly realized that the mass was actually cancer.
The tumor was intertwined within the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes and was unable to be removed. The Sissons’ local team of doctors suggested that they work with specialists, and so began the journey at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude confirmed Reagan’s diagnosis of stage 3 Germ cell tumor. Although there is no “good” cancer, this type has a good prognosis and high cure rate. By December of 2014 her scans showed no signs of cancer!
About 7,800 active patients are seen at St. Jude yearly, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis as part of ongoing research programs.
Reagan returns to St. Jude every three months for scans and lab work, along with monthly visits to her oncologist at the St. Jude affiliate in Baton Rouge. She has been blessed with a positive prognosis. As is the case with each and every patient, the care Reagan received was provided at NO COST to their family. St. Jude relies on public contributions for approximately 75% of their budgeted costs. About 7,800 active patients are seen at St. Jude yearly, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis as part of ongoing research programs. The hospital also has 78 beds for patients requiring hospitalization during treatment. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world. After their incredible experience at St. Jude, the Sisson family wanted to find a way to give back. In 2015, Shelley Sisson approached Franco’s Athletic Club about putting together a small one day tennis tournament to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. That small one day tennis tournament turned into “Racquets for Reagan”, a four day tennis tournament event raising a net $110,000 for St. Jude in the inaugural year!