Help Carry the Light of Hope

Shortly after his 2nd birthday Frank was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblasic Leukemia. His introduction into this portion of his life consited of a 44 day stay in the hospital. Through his stay Little Man endured intense chemotherapy, multiple blood transfusions, and spinal taps. As his hair fell out, he became weaker and more despondent. The only thing that brought a smile to his face was when his sister visited. When he finally left the hospital he was unable to walk and barely spoke.

The following 5 months consisted of bi-weekly visits to the clinic for chemotherapy. Also in this time he had two more shorter stays in the hospital. The following 18 months Little Man went for weekly visits for chemotherapy. Throughout his total of 25 months of treatments Frank received daily oral chemotherapy and periodic spinal taps. He even broke both bones in his leg. Through all of this Little Man never lost his loving nature nor that extra spark in his eye.

Today Little Man is over one year past treatment and looks like a typical 5 year old boy. He plays t-ball and soccer and started kindergarden this month. I wish it was over for all of us but its not. Frank still goes for monthly check-ups to confirm he is doing well and will continue with check-ups for the next 3 years.

Frank is a true hero in a small package. I wish that no one else would have to endure what Little Man did in the past three years of his life. But in the real world many people will and alot of them will not be as lucky a Frank is.

The Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's nationwide walk to raise awareness and funds to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

I'm participating in the walk in honor of Little Man and all individuals who are battling blood cancer. These people are the real heroes, and we need your support to help accelerate cures and give hope to patients and their families. Although research is responsible for increasing survival rates for these diseases, the battle is far from over. Did you know that:

• Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with blood cancer: Every ten minutes, someone loses the fight.
• Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children.
• Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers.
• The myeloma survival rate is only 32 percent.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk. By doing so, we’ll both be helping save lives. Be sure to check my Web site frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!