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Honored Patients

Our Inspirations

METRO DETROIT WALK

Allie Ziniti

Allie, age 11, of Rochester, was an active 9-year-old girl two years ago who loved school, soccer and playing with friends. October 2008 her life changed when she began suffering from joint pain and swelling, which was a mystery for each doctor who saw her. Her blood work was normal, but her life changed when she could no longer participate in sports, including her favorite: soccer. She also missed many school days because her the pain in her knees and ankles limited her to bed or the sofa. Finally, in late July, an abnormal blood test resulted in a bone marrow test, which is when Allie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is currently enduring several phases of chemotherapy and radiation through July 2010 and will complete her maintenance chemotherapy in November 2011. In 2009, Allie's Light The Night Walk team, team "Hope," was the top fundraising team in Southeast Michigan!

Rina Losicki

Rina, age 60, of Auburn Hills, was supposed to be excited for her long-awaited college graduation, but instead was dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2005. At that time, her doctor called to insist she go to the hospital for a blood transfusion due to critically low blood levels. What started out as an innocent hospital visit ended with an anaplastic multiple myeloma diagnosis - in addition to breast cancer. It took four long years of grueling treatments for Rina to move into remission. But this past November she relapsed and is currently back on chemotherapy and other treatments. She is focusing on taking one day at a time and tries to enjoy her time doing outdoor activities and meeting new people through her multiple myeloma support group at Gilda's Club.

ANN ARBOR WALK

Hayley Ray

Hayley, age 6, of Manchester, a few years ago was not eating or drinking as usual and was complaining her legs hurt. After several visits to her pediatrician and an orthopedic specialist, Hayley was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February 2007. Since her diagnosis, Hayley has endured bone marrow biopsies, lumbar spine punctures, spinal taps, countless injections, several blood transfusions, steroids, chemotherapy and more! The good news? On June 25, 2009, she received her last chemotherapy treatment. She currently enjoys being in remission and playing like a typical 6-year-old girl.

Brandy Terwilliger

Brandy, age 29, of DeWitt, was experiencing a persistent cough that developed into pneumonia when she finally went in for a CT scan. At 26 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma. She endured chemotherapy treatments before and after delivery of her beautiful baby girl, Payton. Now working as an accountant, or "bean counter," as she likes to call it, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She just celebrated her one-year remission anniversary in December 2009!

Phil Brabbs

Phil, age 29, of Dexter, is most known for his game-winning field goal as a walk-on kicker for the University of Michigan in 2002. It was his first game as a U of M football player and he missed the first two field goals. Given a third and final chance with five seconds left in the game, Brabbs made the kick sending the Wolverines to victory. Little did he know, four years later he would become ill and endure a battery of tests to determine he had multiple myeloma, a blood cancer almost unheard of in a man his age. He is currently undergoing a clinical trial involving chemotherapy and will soon have a stem cell transplant. He said, "I think there's a purpose behind it and I don't know what that is, but I hope it's a game-winning field goal."

DOWNRIVER WALK

Aaron Blanzy

Aaron, age 12, of Grosse Ile, had his adenoids (just above the tonsils) taken out in February 2008. He never recovered from that feeling of being run down, had headaches and post-nasal bleeding. The surgeon took Aaron back to surgery at Children's Hospital in Detroit and when he was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. He was hospitalized and treatment started immediately. But Aaron stayed strong and positive. He reacted to his diagnosis by saying, "That's okay, I'm going to beat it." Today, he is in remission and on maintenance chemotherapy. He was allowed to play football again this fall and has been active as ever! In 2009, Aaron's Light The Night Team, the "Blanzy Blasters," was the highest fundraising team at the Downriver Walk!

Theresa Tejada

Theresa, age 20, of Allen Park, started her freshman year at Kalamazoo College when she noticed a lump on her neck around Halloween. Over Thanksgiving break, she showed her mom, who is a nurse, and knew something was wrong. She scheduled a doctor's appointment during winter break and soon after received a biopsy, which lead to a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis. She started chemotherapy close to Christmas, took a medical leave from college and received eight months of chemotherapy treatments. Although the process was rough, it allowed her to take some time off from school. She really thought about what she wanted to do with her life and become closer with her friends and family. Through their strength and humor, fighting cancer was a manageable battle. Theresa said, "Although I have finished chemotherapy and my hair is grown back and then some, my cancer story is not finished. Having cancer has fundamentally shaped the way I view my responsibility to the world around me and as long as I meet new people whose lives have been affected by cancer, cancer will still play a role in my day to day life."

Karen Kraepel

Karen, age 47, of Grosse Ile, was working as an accountant when she started experiencing some unusual stomach pains that continued for about a week and became increasingly worse. Three days after receiving a wrong diagnosis, she was at Wyandotte Hospital when a physician's assistant informed her she had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She went for a second opinion and, after the diagnosis was confirmed, she began a battery of tests including a painful bone marrow biopsy. She started immediate intensive chemotherapy to attack the large tumors attached to her intestine and in the chest area. After eight months of chemotherapy treatments she was ready for a bone marrow transplant. Now, almost two years post-transplant, she is in remission and regaining her health. Today she is very optimistic about the future and tries to live a full life!

GRAND RAPIDS WALK

Leah Nawrocki

Leah, age 17, of Ada, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 9. After two years of chemotherapy, she went into remission and began long-term maintenance chemotherapy treatment. Leah completed her treatment in June 2004. Today, Leah is

cancer free! She is a senior attending Catholic Central High School. Leah also sings in the choir, runs track, and is active in in drama club. In her free time she enjoys reading, babysitting, swimming, and going to movies with friends.

Blair Downey (right) & Madi McLean (left)

Blair, age 17, of St. Joseph, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on July 18, 2007 at the age of 15. Today, Blair is a junior at St. Joseph High School. Next year, she will be dual enrolled at Lake Michigan College in the nursing program. Blair plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and will be finished with her treatments in November 2009.

Madi (Blair's cousin), age 13, of St. Joseph, won her first blue ribbon at a horse show on July 20, 2008. The next day she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Madi is a seventh grader at Lakeshore Middle School in Stevensville. She will finish treatments in December 2010.

Carla Morat

Carla, age 41, of New Era, has been an active cancer fundraising participant ever since two of her closest friends were both diagnosed with cancer. From 2006 to 2008, Carla raised over $18,000 for other cancer organizations. In 2008, Carla was diagnosed with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and, as a result, she has been motivated even further to focus on her fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Carla is a single mother of three children ages 5, 7 and 12, and she is fighting strong every day against her disease.