By Tommy Brannon
There are as many stories as there are patients and staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. No matter what the outcome of the story, they are all inspirational and touch many lives.This is the story of Price Hancock, who was just 13 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2014.
Price’s family lives in Stuttgart, Arkansas. His mother Jana, father Bryan, and sister Bryana are all enthusiastic supporters of St. Jude, as well as horse enthusiasts. Price’s father, Bryan Hancock, said that before his diagnoses, Price competed with the Stuttgart Jr. High School rodeo team in steer wrestling, and he liked to work cows. His other athletic interests included being the starting center on the school’s football team and a rifle marksman. His older sister Bryana competes in barrel races, and she competed on two horses, Domino and Jack, at the St. Jude Barrel Jam, February 26-28, 2016 at the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN.
Bryan said that Price had surgery to remove the tumor at Le Bonheur Hospital in December 2014 and, afterwards, became an outpatient at St. Jude. Prior to Price’s surgery,his family was unaware of all of the support that St. Jude gives to families of their patients. He said, “We did not have to do anything except be there for our child. Even if we needed a place to stay while in Memphis, it was provided. After starting treatment, Price never complained. He knew that he was out of sports, but stayed positive. He was a huge inspiration to a lot of people. His football team retired his jersey and brought it to every game. Make A Wish Foundation provided a trip to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for us,where Price got to swim with dolphins.”
A subsequent MRI revealed that Price had three inoperable brain tumors. Bryan said St. Jude did not give up. “They were not able to cure the cancer, but they did slow it down. He received treatments until he had reached the maximum allowable radiation. At that point we decided to go home for quality of life care. We had great support from our small town community. People would bring us dinner and, just before Christmas, he had a visit from 300 carolers who filled the yard. Since Price could not get out of bed, they FaceTimed to his phone and he was able to hear them through an open window.” Sadly, Price passed away December 26, 2015.
In May 2015, theFight Like a Kid Childhood Cancer Awareness Program held a barrel race in Stuttgart to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation to grant wishes to three children struck by childhood cancer. They will hold another one May 14, 2016, and the name has been changed to the Price Hancock Memorial Barrel Race.
Bryan asked, “Please come out and support this great cause! God opened our eyes and hearts in a mighty way regarding childhood cancer. My heart breaks for these children and their families because we’ve walked the path they’re on. Our family, as well as our friends, have made it our mission to carry on Price’s compassionate, giving, and loving spirit by helping others who are fighting cancer. Price never gave up and neither will we! Please join us by supporting this event.”
The Price Hancock Memorial Barrel Race is May 14, 2016 at Cross B Arena, 2219 Highway 63 N, Stuttgart, AR. For information, contact Kara Moorehead at 501-626-7904.
There are as many stories as there are patients and staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. No matter what the outcome of the story, they are all inspirational and touch many lives.This is the story of Price Hancock, who was just 13 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2014.
Price’s family lives in Stuttgart, Arkansas. His mother Jana, father Bryan, and sister Bryana are all enthusiastic supporters of St. Jude, as well as horse enthusiasts. Price’s father, Bryan Hancock, said that before his diagnoses, Price competed with the Stuttgart Jr. High School rodeo team in steer wrestling, and he liked to work cows. His other athletic interests included being the starting center on the school’s football team and a rifle marksman. His older sister Bryana competes in barrel races, and she competed on two horses, Domino and Jack, at the St. Jude Barrel Jam, February 26-28, 2016 at the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN.
Bryan said that Price had surgery to remove the tumor at Le Bonheur Hospital in December 2014 and, afterwards, became an outpatient at St. Jude. Prior to Price’s surgery,his family was unaware of all of the support that St. Jude gives to families of their patients. He said, “We did not have to do anything except be there for our child. Even if we needed a place to stay while in Memphis, it was provided. After starting treatment, Price never complained. He knew that he was out of sports, but stayed positive. He was a huge inspiration to a lot of people. His football team retired his jersey and brought it to every game. Make A Wish Foundation provided a trip to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for us,where Price got to swim with dolphins.”
A subsequent MRI revealed that Price had three inoperable brain tumors. Bryan said St. Jude did not give up. “They were not able to cure the cancer, but they did slow it down. He received treatments until he had reached the maximum allowable radiation. At that point we decided to go home for quality of life care. We had great support from our small town community. People would bring us dinner and, just before Christmas, he had a visit from 300 carolers who filled the yard. Since Price could not get out of bed, they FaceTimed to his phone and he was able to hear them through an open window.” Sadly, Price passed away December 26, 2015.
In May 2015, theFight Like a Kid Childhood Cancer Awareness Program held a barrel race in Stuttgart to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation to grant wishes to three children struck by childhood cancer. They will hold another one May 14, 2016, and the name has been changed to the Price Hancock Memorial Barrel Race.
Bryan asked, “Please come out and support this great cause! God opened our eyes and hearts in a mighty way regarding childhood cancer. My heart breaks for these children and their families because we’ve walked the path they’re on. Our family, as well as our friends, have made it our mission to carry on Price’s compassionate, giving, and loving spirit by helping others who are fighting cancer. Price never gave up and neither will we! Please join us by supporting this event.”
The Price Hancock Memorial Barrel Race is May 14, 2016 at Cross B Arena, 2219 Highway 63 N, Stuttgart, AR. For information, contact Kara Moorehead at 501-626-7904.
