Sweetness at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Mike and I have completed day 1 of our Blue Butterfly Campaign video interview trip. We’ve had a great day here in Cincinnati Ohio.  We interviewed (Mike filmed while I interviewed) a family whose sweet daughter Rachel, age 4, had AML leukemia and once they thought they were all done with treatment she relapsed with ALL leukemia.  She had a bone marrow transplant 20 months ago. Rachel is about as sweet and adorable as they come.  She sat patiently by her Dad’s side as we interviewed them.  She now thinks that she is a famous movie star and is going to be in a “film”.  Her Dad, Andy, shared his heartwarming story with us which brought tears to all our eyes.  We are so grateful for their willingness to share their story with us and it is a great reminder of why we need to fund research for childhood AML…to give kids like like Rachel a fighting chance.

Today, we also had the amazing honor to interview Dr. Stella Davies, Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  She is a brilliant researcher and doctor who is incredibly warm and funny.  Her interview was so inspiring and encouraging.  The research she is doing at CCH is groundbreaking and we are so excited to be funding her work.  She believes that we will find a cure for childhood AML!!

Many thanks to Cathy Westrich of donor relations, Dr. Davies, Andy and Rachel for giving us their valuable time.

Tomorrow Mike and I drive from Cincinnati to Raleigh NC…..next stop Duke University.

Rachel and Andy

Sweet Rachel age 4