President shows support for boy's cancer fight
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

HAIL TO THE CHIEF- Ten-year-old Kevin Cordasco of Calabasas meets President Bush after writing the president a letter about his bout with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer of the nervous system.

A 10-year-old boy from Calabasas had the playdate of his young life earlier this month, eating pizza on Air Force One and getting some words of encouragement from President Bush.

Kevin Cordasco recently wrote a letter to the president about his fight against neuroblastoma, a solid tumor cancer which travels through the s y m p a t h e t i c nervous system. Just a couple of days later, the Cordasco family received a call from the Secret Service with instructions.

After a transfusion at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the Cordascos got in the car and headed to LAX. After entering a "secret black gate" they made a couple of turns and parked- right in front of Air Force One.

"Kevin was feeling better and that was great," father Kevin Cordasco said. "He could really appreciate what was about to happen. As we pulled up we were in awe of the sight of the plane and our surroundings."

While waiting for Bush's arrival, the boy and his family spent two hours on the presidential plane, enjoying a firstclass tour before snacking on pizza in the president's onboard office. They met everyone from the presidential chef to the pilot of Air Force One, and Kevin sat in the cockpit and tried on the president's personal flight jacket.

"Finally, the word came as we heard the chopper roar overhead- the president had touched down," Cordasco said. "I looked up and saw the president (exit) the chopper. It seemed that from the moment he left the chopper he knew where he was going. Within 50 yards or so he had locked eyes with Kevin. It seemed as if he had come to meet Kevin, and Kevin only."

According to Cordasco, the president extended his hand for some 20 yards before reaching Kevin.

"He said, 'Hello Kevin, I am President Bush and I am proud to meet you. You are a very brave boy and you are going to beat this.' I was dumbstruck. He looked right into his eyes," Cordasco said.

In mid-January, Kevin and Melodie Cordasco took their son to the hospital for pain in his legs and back. The child spent a month with a misdiagnosis of bone disease, and spent 11 days in the hospital.

"Kevin was less than 50 pounds, and he fought for a month while they were pumping him full of antibiotics for a disease he didn't have," said his dad. "He had advanced cancer, and I don't blame anyone for that. My only regret is that he used a lot of energy to fight that 30 days."

By the time doctors found the tumor in the adrenal gland, Kevin was in bad shape. His p a r e n t s brought him to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and he's been fighting the cancer since.

"Depending upon the week and his chemotherapy schedule he can go from being in bed sick to being an energetic young boy," Cordasco said. "He was able to play a couple innings in his Little League game today, so that was great to see."

Kevin is on his third of eight chemotherapy rounds. He stays at the hospital Monday through Friday, and his parents alternate nights staying with him.

Cordasco said his son is handling his situation "beautifully." The Cordascos have visited Ronald McDonald House, which they called amazing, and Kevin served as honorary ball boy at a recent Angel-Dodger baseball game. But nothing, Cordasco said, could compare to his son's meeting with the president.

After some photos, Bush asked Kevin to walk him to the base of the stairs leading up to Air Force One. The whole way there, Cordasco said, Bush talked with and encouraged Kevin.

"I was thinking, 'wow, what a moment for my son,'" Cordasco said. "Shortly after, he said to Kevin, 'I want to see you again when you get better,' and off he went up the stairs. As he reached the top of the stairs he turned and waved to the crowd and then he looked directly at Kevin and gently knelt down as they waved goodbye to each other."

Cordasco said that before they left, the captain told Kevin that when the president waves from the top of the staircase, that's the cue to start the fourth engine. On that day, however, the fourth engine was already fired when Kevin looked up and gave Bush a wave.

According to his dad, Kevin gave the thumbs up and the engines began to roar as the door shut behind the president. And if that weren't enough, the pilot rocked the wings for one last goodbye to Kevin.

"It was beyond exciting," Cordasco said. "I still can't believe that it happened. I can't tell you how wonderful that crew was to my whole family. Kevin is a very spirited kid with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed his time.

"So much love has come out of this. I could never repay everyone for all they have done for my family."

For more information about Kevin Cordasco, visit www.talbertfamilyfoundation.org/ pages/Kevin%20Cordasco.html.