Monday, September 15, 2008

Riding in Honor of...

Malana
This picture is clipped to the front of my bike so she can enjoy the scenery as I ride for her and the many living with and fighting blood cancer.

Here's her short story as we were introduced to her by her great-aunt who is one of my TEAM-mates.
She was diagnosed with leukemia just a couple of months before her second birthday. What started as bruises and bumps became a series of tests, including bone marrow, then the leukemia (ALL) diagnosis. I was very relieved to hear that ALL is the most treatable kind of leukemia. (Thanks LLS!!). Malana has been in treatment now for about 18 months. For some aspects, her reaction to the treatment has been better than expected, but she continues to have significantly elevated ANC and ALT-phosphorus levels, and her doctors have not been able to explain.

She seems to be taking all of her treatments in stride. She's even willing to show her third nipple (her port) to anyone who asks about it. She has the greatest smile and loves to hug and be hugged (but don't we all?)


Would you like to help find a cure for Malana? Click here to:Make a tax-deductible donation to LLS

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