Caregiver

My grandson, Dominick, was diagnosed with high-risk pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in November 2014. He was 2 3/4 years old and it was only eight months after his dad unexpectedly passed away. Obviously this was a new shock for his mom, Danielle, and his family.

In May 2019, when Carter was just 2 years old. While attending his cousin’s graduation in New York City, I knew something was not right because he was not feeling well. We rushed him to New York Presbyterian Hospital where he received several blood and platelet transfusions.

Lucy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was 32-weeks pregnant with our son Watson. She underwent two rounds of chemo while our son was inside her. After giving birth to our healthy, 4 lb., premature baby, she immediately went back to treatment with more rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.

Throughout my father’s journey, I was impressed by his care team, the advanced medicine used to treat blood cancer today, the individuals I met, people’s generosity, and the organizations I was introduced to. This journey opened my eyes to various organizations such as Be the Match and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Rick Ostroff and his family have a legacy of philanthropy with a heartfelt connection to a disease he never had. During the first three years of his life, he spent time on the leukemia floor of Children’s Hospital in Boston but eventually was found to have the critical illness of gamma globulin anemia rather than then-fatal leukemia.

I am 39 years old, a father of two boys and one girl ― Abdias, 12 years old; Ester, 10 years old; and Ben, 9 years old ― and a husband to my wife Erin for almost 14 years.

In 2017, I was diagnosed with a rare and chronic form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I was beyond devastated as I knew there was no cure for my condition, and I also knew my life would be altered in many ways. I was also finishing my last semester in graduate school and almost gave up my dream of graduating.