The Larew family has faced unimaginable trials, enduring the loss of their beloved child, Evan. Their heartbreak deepened when their son, Ian, was diagnosed with brain cancer, a battle he has fought twice and is now in remission. Through these incredibly challenging times, the Larew Family has shown extraordinary strength and resilience. Their journey is a poignant reminder of the relentless nature of life’s hardships and the profound courage it takes to confront them head-on. Despite the overwhelming grief and constant fear, the Larew Family continues to hold onto hope and each other, demonstrating the true essence of family and love.
Ian Larew
Ian Larew is an old soul who loves a good dad joke and will be entering 5th grade this fall. He’s battled brain cancer twice in his short life with courage and determination. When you are told your child has cancer, you feel instantly transported into a different universe, except the world keeps moving fast around you. He was first diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma on March 29, 2022, and underwent two tumor resections followed by 30 rounds of focal radiation.
After his first tumor resection, he had a complication called Posterior Fossa Syndrome where he had to relearn to walk, talk, and had difficulty with emotions. His cancer relapsed December 11, 2023. After another tumor resection and full brain and spine radiation, he is currently showing no evidence of disease as of May 2024. During the last few years, they’ve been forever grateful for the unwavering support of extended family, friends, community and so many organizations. Since being thrown into the pediatric cancer world, their family has tried to increase awareness for pediatric cancer research. Ian has helped host a Caps for the Cure fundraiser at the Pewaukee Elementary Schools the past two years to support Pediatric Cancer Research.
It’s been wonderful to see Ian return to doing many of the things he loves: sports, reading, playing with his friends. He has the biggest heart, always looking to help and is so kind to kids he meets. He is a daily reminder that courage knows no age limits. Ian’s diagnosis has taught their family to love big, find joy in every day, and take the trip.
Helping Out
If you would like to help find a cure for cancer, here are the links to the St. Jude’s Marathon Page and the link for the cure starts now that has a focus on brain cancer research.
https://p2p.thecurestartsnow.org/1843
https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Heroes/SJMMW?px=8332003&pg=personal&fr_id=154861
The Larew Family is so appreciative for all of the support they have received and cannot thank you enough.
About Janel Larew
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Robbie, and I have been married for almost 15 years. We have three children here with us, Ian, 10, Miles, 8, Olivia, 4, and one son in heaven, Evan, who was born prematurely at 24 weeks and survived 8 days. We also have a loveable 1 year old mini goldendoodle named Snickers. Our boys love playing sports: baseball, basketball, soccer, golf. Pretty much anything with a ball and spending time outdoors. My husband has coached many of their sports teams and we enjoy seeing all of the kids learn and have fun. We’ve lived in Pewaukee for the past 11.5 years.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I am a pharmacist and work for Pfizer Medical, helping to educate clinicians and connect researchers in the cardiovascular space. Robbie is a former middle school teacher turned stay at home dad. We are also both very passionate about increasing awareness of pediatric cancer and preterm births. Pediatric Cancer research is vastly underfunded, only 4% of federal cancer funds are marked for pediatric cancer research, which results in mostly families affected trying to advocate for these kids.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
In my day job, I love helping increase education and guideline awareness that in turn improves patients’ wellbeing. As a cancer family, we have been exposed to the sheer resilience of so many kids walking this path. They still can find joy and laughter in the HARDEST of times. Even though it’s exhausting advocating for your child on top of coordinating their care, we continue to hope that one day no other family will have to experience this nightmare.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Losing a child is an unfathomable pain we would wish upon no one, followed by a few years later finding out your child has brain cancer is honestly downright torture. There is constant anxiety and fear that never truly goes away. We know what it’s like to lose a child and we refuse to lose another. Ian receives his care at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis due to the rarity of his cancer. We go for surveillance MRIs to see if his cancer is still gone every 3 months. We’re trying really hard to live life as “normal” as possible knowing that any time our life could be turned upside down again. We try to focus on what really matters, time with our family.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Our family is participating in the St. Jude’s Marathon Weekend in Memphis to increase funding and awareness for pediatric cancer research. The kids and I will be doing a 5K and my husband is doing the 10K race. We have a lot of friends and family who are making the trek to Memphis to join us for the race, which means a lot.
Janel Larew & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
We love attending Dockhound’s games! Ian recently had his 10th birthday party there and the kids all had a blast.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
All the pediatric cancer families we’ve meet along the way inspire us to keep moving forward and to continue to fight for these kids. Also, Sheri and Aaron Sparks with the Jackson Sparks Foundation. They have also faced unimaginable losses and continue to give back to others with such grace and kindness.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
We love Bubba’s, Good Eats Cafe for a great brunch and Bloody Mary, and Beach Bum Bakery.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Friendly, Supportive, Compassionate.
For Fun
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Current hits at our house include: Dude Perfect, Bluey and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Our kids. At young ages they have endured more than any kids should. Cancer affects all of your children. The resilience they have shown will serve them well in life, although we wish it didn’t have to be that way. Through all of his surgeries, radiation, needle pokes, sedation, Ian has never once complained and said, “Why me.” He keeps going and has one of the biggest hearts. Miles and Olivia have been so supportive of him every step of this journey.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
The kids would definitely pick root beer, we would pick some Pilcrow Coffee Cold Brews.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Traveling as much as we can. Showing the kids different states, countries and trying to see different baseball stadiums every year.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Time with our family. Whether at home playing in the yard, taking a trip, or soaking up all of the small moments with them.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Be kind, think of others and acknowledge all of the blessings in your life, both big and small. Much of what people worry about in the grand scheme of life is not a big deal. Take a step back and look for the good, find joy in every day.
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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