Have you ever seen the show "Punked" where something crazy and unbelievable happens to a person and then they come out a nd tell him he's been "punked" and it's all a huge practical joke?  Well that's  kind of how I feel right now.  I have been working with Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for eight years, walking marathons and taking care of honorees and fundraising like there was no tomorrow to help raise money to fund research.  This last year I helped coordinate the Light The Night Walk.  I remember walking with all of those people and thinking wow, this is such an incredible moment, I was so proud of everyone that made that night possible.  So on April 28, 2008 when I was diagnosed with AML I waited for someone to come out and tell me I was being "punked!"  That has yet to happen.  After five weeks at UCSF undergoing Chemo therapy, a month back home, and back to UCSF for consolidation Chemo therapy, I now see the LLS Mission from a patients' point of view.  My battle with Leukemia has now become a personal one.  Thought this has been a shock to me and my family, I do not plan on letting it get me down.  While I was at UCSF, I knew the Team in Training Walk Team was set to walk a marathon in San Diego, which is were  I walked the first of my 13 marathons.  So I decided I could do some walking to keep my spirits up.  I learned from the nurses that if I walk the corridors 12 times it equaled 1 mile, so I decided I could walk a marathon in the hospital.  During my first stay I walked half, and when I return in July, I plan on completing my marathon.

 I am now 7 years old and I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) when I was 5 years old.  I have gone through lots of pain and still go through it.    Having Leukemia is very painful and difficult because I miss playing with my friends and going to school like I used to.  I have gained a lot of weight and lost my hair.  My mommy says I have a beautiful face and now I can show it off.
For a long time now, I have been poked with needles every day and I have to take chemo treatments and have spinal taps every week.  It hurts a lot.  I feel sad sometimes because I don't want to feel like this any more.   I feel good that they have moved me to a maintenance phase but the chemo makes my jaw and legs hurt so much.  Sometimes I don't know what to do and I just yell and Cry.  My mommy, daddy and family give me big hugs and kisses and tell me that I am brave and that I will be okay.  My mommy said it is people like you who are helping to fight this disease.  Thank you.  I think what you are doing is really nice.