A Mother's Journey

Renee C. Byer

The Sacramento Bee

Derek Madsen, 10, gets a soothing massage from his mother, Cyndie French, at her Sacramento nail and tanning salon on June 2, 2005. The 10-year-old is battling a rare childhood cancer that has invaded his bones and organs. 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to make him happy, to see him smile.' Cyndie says. Cyndie, a single mom, had to give up her Salon to care for her dying son.

Renee C. Byer, "A Mother's Journey," in POYi Archive, Item #45847, http://archive.poy.org/items/show/45847 (accessed June 7, 2025).