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December 4
1962- Actress and future Soledad Canyon big-cat rescuer Tippi Hedren, "Hitchcock's New Grace Kelly," makes cover of Look magazine for upcoming thriller, "The Birds" [story]
Tippi Hedren


[KHTS] – Another blood drive for local cancer patient 2-year-old Kennedy Rae Urban will be hosted by the Paseo Club of Valencia on Thursday, May 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

paseo-club-host-blood-drive-young-cancer-patient-kennedy-rae-urbKennedy was born on Feb. 5, 2012, but only 18 months after parents Kevin and Melissa Urban of Castaic had welcomed her into their family, they noticed she had lost her appetite, seemed fatigued and generally was not feeling well.

Melissa Urban said she thought it might be teething at first and doctors assured her it was nothing.

But the symptoms didn’t go away. Eventually Kennedy was crying in pain, and Urban brought her into Urgent Care.

“I just knew as a mother there was something else going on,” she said during an interview in September.

Kennedy was transferred to the Northridge Hospital Emergency Room and then toChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she underwent “every test you could possibly imagine,” including ultrasounds, CT scans, blood work and a bone scan, Urban said.

The eventual diagnosis came on July 30–Stage 4 High-risk Neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that affects the nervous system and can cause tumors in the adrenal glands, bones, skin, liver and lymph nodes, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicinewebsite.

“It’s a rare cancer,” Urban said. “…the doctors say they only see about 500 kids in the United States a year that get it.”

Since the diagnosis, Kennedy has had surgery and been given multiple rounds of chemotherapy, in addition to blood transfusions and platelet transfusions.

Those interested in giving blood on May 29 must call 661-904-4527 or email helpkennedyrae@gmail.com. to reserve a time slot.

paseo-club-host-blood-drive-young-cancer-patient-kennedy-rae-urbKennedy’s blood type of O+, and all matching donations will be reserved specifically for her transfusions.

Any other donations will used for children like Kennedy at Children’s Hospital L.A.

While a lot of attention is often focused on breast cancer and other adult cancers, Urban wanted to remind the community that “there’s little babies out there that get this, too. Not just adults have to go through the treatment. Kennedy will go through almost the same exact treatment that an adult would.”

“There are quite a few children that I’ve met since Kennedy has been (at Children’s Hospital), that also have neuroblastoma,” she said.

The family has created a CaringBridge site and a personal site with updates on Kennedy’s treatment.

Urban expects that their family will continue fundraising and raising awareness for children’s cancer in the years to come.

“My husband and I are hoping that when this is all said and done we can set up a fund in her name,” she said, “so we can help other families.”

Comment On This Story
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13 Comments

  1. I’m O+! I’ll be there!

  2. I’m O+! I’ll be there!

  3. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kennedy and her family.

  4. Just sent my email!

  5. I’m O+ and just sent my email :)

  6. marina marquez says:

    O+ email sent!

  7. Amy Guerra says:

    Im 0+ but Im not able too. :( I hope theirs a big turnout. God bless you.

  8. Josh Shannon says:

    I’ll be in scv in June if I can still help. I’m O-negative!

  9. Harry Thy says:

    Send me an email at horso@earthlink.net. I’m O Positive.
    I’m old (68) but the blood still works.

  10. O+ just sent my email! Can also do directed platelets if needed.

  11. Just sent my email! I’m O+ too :)

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024
LASD: Acton Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Major Crimes Bureau, Metro Detail detectives and LASD Palmdale Station detectives responded to the California Bank and Trust in Acton, in response to a reported bank robbery. 
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024
County Certifies 2024 General Election Results
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan certified the final results for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the first day counties are permitted to certify under the timeframe prescribed in the California Elections Code.
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024
State Secures Broad Voluntary Recall of Raw Milk and Cream to Protect Consumers
Continuing its action to protect public health, the state has secured a broad, voluntary recall of all raw whole milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Major Crimes Bureau, Metro Detail detectives and LASD Palmdale Station detectives responded to the California Bank and Trust in Acton, in response to a reported bank robbery. 
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California State University, Northridge’s Jewish Studies Program is collaborating with the UCLA Dialogue Across Difference Initiative and Bedari Kindness Institute to host a conversation between Miriam Udel and Reza Aslan about charting a course toward peace and understanding
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Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger started her term as Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for 2024-2025 on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
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Experience the magic of live music and animated visuals at the Santa Clarita Youth Orchestra’s "Carnival of the Animals" concert, Friday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons.
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Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) was sworn in on Monday, Dec. 2 in Sacramento to represent Assembly District 40, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley, Castaic, Northwest San Fernando Valley and North Sylmar.
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The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Valencia Community Center on Monday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at Valencia Summit Park.
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California State University, Northridge’s Department of Music has been named one of the top 20 music schools by The Hollywood Reporter alongside schools such as The Juilliard School, the University of Southern California and Berklee College of Music.
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The California Department of Public Health is reminding the public that holiday gatherings can lead to holiday colds and to get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and other winter viruses to protect yourself and loved ones this winter.
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Dr. Omar Torres, who serves as chief instructional officer at College of the Canyons, has been named President of De Anza College, effective Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
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The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of six productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 8.
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SCVNews.com