GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Pediatric Oncologist Dr. William “Bill” Slayton’s passion for healthcare was passed down through the family.
Dr. Slayton’s father, whom he describes as a “pioneer” in healthcare, worked as an oncologist in the 1960s and 70s. At the time, he was among the first doctors to administer chemotherapy to adults with cancer.
“When he started (chemotherapy treatment), very few of his patients survived,” said Dr. Slayton. “By the time he finished, at least in certain diseases, a lot of them were living and being cured.”
Dr. Slayton said his goal in life became simple—he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor.
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“What better way to spend your time on earth than doing something like that and helping other people,” he said.
While his father treated adults, Dr. Slayton chose to work with children.
“I really like working with kids, so I kind of walked in (my father’s) footsteps, but the path was a bit different,” he said.
Dr. Slayton pursued his passion through education, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oberlin College before attending the University of Florida, where he obtained his medical degree. He also completed a pediatric internship, residency, and fellowship at UF.
Following his graduation, Slayton joined UF Health Shands’ pediatric hematology and oncology division in 2002 Now, 23 years later, he has risen to the position of Division Chief for Pediatric Hematology Oncology.
Dr. Slayton specializes in treating leukemia and lymphoma, two of the top eight most common childhood cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Leukemia, in particular, is the most prevalent.
“Leukemia means white blood, and it’s a cancer of the white blood cells,” said Dr. Slayton. “In ancient times, people knew other people had leukemia because when they drew their blood, it looked more white than red.”
This disease affects multiple organ systems.
“Having cancer growing in your blood can lead to normal tissues and organs becoming infiltrated with the cancerous cells,” he explained. “These cancerous cells then continue to grow and take nutrients away, which leads to it killing off the organs.”
To help his young patients cope, Dr. Slayton believes in the power of comfort objects like teddy bears.
“The kids usually get the bears right around the beginning of their treatment. It’s something that they can hug, and it’s something that gives them feelings of protection. It gives them something to think about besides the fact that they’ve been diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
His personal favorite is the chemo duck, a stuffed animal designed to help children understand their treatment.
“The duck is set up in a way where they have a central line, and you can talk about the central line through play. The little kids especially benefit from learning about it that way,” he said. “If it’s part of the play, it’s not scary, right?”
Through the Stop Children’s Cancer Bear-A-Thon, a $40 donation provides a child with a comfort item. Dr. Slayton believes each donation makes a difference.
“They say that many hands make for light work,” he said. “You’re helping the children by giving them a bear, but you’re also raising money for cancer research; it’s a win-win, and the patients love it.”