Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

In the late summer of 2021, 8-year-old Harper returned to in-person school for the first time since March 2020 for the start of third grade. Shortly after the beginning of the school year, Harper began to complain of headaches and bone pain and would fall deeply asleep each afternoon after school.

On April 16, 2022, I brought my son Ezekiel "Zeke" to a sick appointment because of leg pain, stomach pain, and a fever over the last few days. We were sent for some additional testing (bloodwork and an X-ray of his stomach area).

I would like to introduce everyone to my little warrior, Hunter. When he was just four years old, he had an enlarged stomach that just kept getting bigger and bigger with no answers as to why. Well, finally in October, his doctor sent him for more testing to hopefully finally get a diagnosis that could be treated. We were thinking appendicitis, which would be an easier cure than leukemia.

I am writing to share about my son, Aiden, who is our real superhero and has superpowers that shine bright through his love of dance. From a very young age, we considered Aiden to be our gifted child. He has a free spirit and loves to connect with the world and others in it. His parents have taught him to "dream big" and "reach for the stars" and he can do whatever he puts his mind to.

Hello, my name is Nikolas. I am 16 years old, almost 17, and have been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for eight years.

Just two weeks into my junior year of high school, I was pulled out of class at lunch and packed a small overnight bag, not realizing I wouldn’t return to school for the entire year.

My name is Nicole, and in 2022, I celebrated the 10-year anniversary of that life-altering day.

Sofia’s story starts in November 2022. Actually, it starts on March 17, 2019, when she was born. She has been my fierce, independent, strong-willed little girl from the get-go. Once she started walking, she was an unstoppable force. Contrary to her cautious, older brother, Sofia seemed fearless. She loved to climb to the top of the playground structure meant for kids twice her age.

My sweet and wild 3-year-old son, Phil, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in the midst of the holidays in 2019 on December 27. Phil began treatment right away, following a 2½-year treatment protocol for his leukemia type and risk level.

I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at the age of two in 1981. I was sent to Riley Hospital for Children for assessment and to create a treatment plan.  At the time of my diagnosis, my mom was a single mother of two young daughters. My father passed away from Ewing sarcoma in April 1979. I was eight months old, and my sister was four when he passed.

My brother Hopoate is a leukemia survivor. At the young age of 2, he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and finished his chemotherapy when he was 4-1/2 years old. He has been cancer-free for about 17 years now. He is now 21 and thriving.