‘Ask me about my backpack’: One Fresno State professor’s burden of love
On Thursdays during the month of October, Fresno State sociology professor Shirisha Shankar entered her assigned classroom at Central California Women’s Facility with an unusual accessory slung over her shoulders: a neon green backpack with a tag that read, “Ask Me About My Backpack.”
On October 23, students took her up on the offer. Here’s what Shankar shared.
The backpack she carries helps benefit St. Baldrick‘s Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that raises funds to promote childhood cancer research. According to its blog, the name “is a mashup of St. Patrick’s Day and the word ‘bald.'” Founded by Tim Kenny, John Bender, and Enda McDonnell, the organization held its first event on St. Patrick’s Day in 2000, where 19 people shaved their heads and raised over $100,000. They’ve been hosting head-shaving fundraisers ever since.
For Shankar, the backpack — and the cause behind it — is far more personal.
“My daughter Anya was diagnosed with cancer at 9,“ Shankar said.
In May 2018, Shankar’s daughter was admitted to Valley Children’s Hospital and began chemotherapy. In April, St. Baldrick’s visited the hospital and, while there, representatives shaved the heads of those wishing to show solidarity with children battling cancer. That day, Shankar, her husband, and her mother-in-law all shaved their heads for Anya.
Shankar started carrying the green backpack this year to promote a mobile leukemia treatment that children can carry with them. This allows them to undergo life-saving cancer treatments while living a normal life. Scherer plans to wear the backpack until she raises $2500. She’s raised $750 to date.
According to Shankar, Anya’s treatment required staying at the hospital for weeks at a time. Between 2018 and 2020, the family more or less lived at Valley Children’s Hospital.
“There were times Anya couldn’t even leave her hospital room. Her immune system was so bad,” Shankar said. “The treatment is bad, but the isolation makes it worse.”
In order to combat that isolation, children diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia can wear a backpack and bring their treatment with them. Children can then live at home, engage in more normal activities, and, importantly, go to school.
“Anya was sick and forth and fifth grades,” Shankar said. “She had tutoring in the hospital but couldn’t attend school, so it wasn’t the same. I think it’s great that we have the possibility for such treatment that is kinder on children’s bodies and minds.”
Because she was so young, Anya likely did not realize how serious her condition was. Her parents, however, were terrified. While Anya may not have had to face her mortality at that time, her diagnosis forced her parents to face their mortality, as well as their daughter’s.
Looking back, Shankar sees a bright side to her daughter’s health battle: “It really helped us be a lot more grateful for what we have. This helped us open up and be a lot more aware of what we have and what we can give.”
It is in the spirit of giving that Shankar chooses to wear a backpack in honor of her daughter and to help raise funds so that children diagnosed with leukemia in the future can engage more in everyday activities.
Anya is now thriving as a 16-and-a-half-year-old high school student. Beaming with pride, Shankar shared how her daughter recently won an art competition and is happy, living her life.
“Until your health is gone, you don’t realize how much is dependent on your health. Seeing Anya happy is the biggest thing ever,” Shankar said.
