Meet our 2008 Honored Heroes...
Meet Christine ("Chris") Rainville. Chris is a 33 year old mother of two (Daisy, age 12; and Lucy, age 9) and an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) survivor. Diagnosed in April 2005, Chris spent over a month in the hospital receiving her induction and consolidation rounds of chemotherapy. She then underwent four rounds of maintenance chemo as an out-patient. Throughout her cancer journey, Chris kept a detailed blog for her friends and family that documented her life as a cancer patient. The following is an excerpt from her blog: "The best part of my diagnosis is my refreshed outlook on life. I mean, I always knew and thought I 'lived my life to the fullest', until I faced death and became a survivor. I could die from this. That's not acceptable. I've still got things I need to do. I've now got a life to-do list and I actively look to cross stuff off...I am thankful for my changed outlook and for that, cancer has been one of the best things that has happened to me." If you would like to read more of Chris's blog, visit www.chrisrainvillefund.org. Chris has participated in the Northampton Light The Night Walk for 2 years.
Pets: Two poodles, "Hope" and "Hero" Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Sport: Kayaking Favorite Color: Red Favorite Movie: Comedies
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 Meet Kyle Roderick. Kyle is 31 years old and a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. Weeks prior to his diagnosis in December 1994, Kyle spent a great deal of time in the intensive care unit being treated for severe bronchitis, pneumonia and a handful of other infections. His health struggled to improve and after six weeks of testing Kyle was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He underwent six months of chemotherapy which put him in to remission. With a clean bill of health, Kyle went off to college. However, during the winter of his freshman year, Kyle again fell ill and doctors confirmed that he had relapsed. Kyle endured another round of chemotherapy with many complications, and then had a bone marrow transplant during the summer of 1996 (his first cousin was a perfect match). Since his transplant, Kyle has thrived and is "more healthy that [he's] ever been in [his] entire life." Since his diagnosis, Kyle has been a supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He participated in the first Light The Night Walk on the Boston Common in 1999, and has since played a pivotal role in the success of the event, raising over $20,000 for the Society. For the past several years, Kyle has organized a Valentine's Day gala to benefit the Society and his Light The Night fundraising efforts. This year's event was extra-special in that it was where Kyle proposed to his girlfriend, Monica. They are now engaged to be married.
Favorite Food: Pizza (!) Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Movie: Casablanca Favorite Color: Red Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu
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Meet Drew Pelletrino. Drew is 6 years old and an Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. In May 2005, Drew began complaining of knee pain. As an active 4 year old always on the go with various activities, his parents, Kerilee and Michael, thought little of his injury. However, after a series of tests including an x-ray, MRI, bone scan and bone marrow biopsy, Drew was diagnosed with ALL, a leukemia common among children under 10. Due to his age, Drew was largely unaware of the seriousness of his diagnosis. He underwent 108 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation with Jack, his stuffed animal bear, by his side. Drew finished his treament this past summer and is now in remission. He vivacity and energy for life have remained as Drew continues to participate in a handful of activities including soccer and Kung Fu. His overwhelming spirit and outgoing personality have earned Drew the "Courage and Spirit" and "Community Service" awards from his Kung Fu instructors. Drew and his family participated in the Light The Night Walk in Wakefield for the first time in 2007, walking together as "Drew's Crew--'Kicking Cancer's Butt'".
Favorite Holiday: Christmas Pets: Three dogs ("Cody", "Riley", and "Molly") Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Game: Playing with legos Favorite Movie: Action adventures Favorite Sport: Soccer
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 Meet Erin Carson. Erin is 35 years old and a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. In late March 2006, Erin's OB/Gyn diagnosed her with lymphoma after finding a large mass in her reproductive area. The mother of two (Lily, age 8; and Bridget, age 5) began treatment immediately, a protocol which included six rounds of chemotherapy followed by four weeks of radiation. When asked about her treatment, Erin responded: "It seemed so daunting at first...It did go by fast but the emotional battle was just as tough as the physical one." As most cancer patients will attest, the journey through treatment is often an uphill one, as the tunnel seems long with no end in sight. Remaining optimistic is key. Erin's experience echoes this sentiment: "I needed all the positives I could get. Back in 2004, I competed in a triathlon. Shortly after chemo began, I hung my race shirt on the closet door. On the days when I didn't want to get out of bed, I would just look at that shirt and say, 'If you can train and do a triathlon, you can get up and fight this battle'." Today, Erin is in remission. She and her family have participated in the Wakefield Light The Night Walk since 2006, rallying together as "Team Kelly". To date, she has raised over $4,500 for the Society.
Favorite Food: Mexican Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Sports: Baseball & Football
Favorite Game: Old Maid Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
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Meet Anne Sullivan. Anne is 33 years old and a Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. Anne's cancer journey began in April 2006 when she discovered a pea-sized lump in her neck. Engaged to be married in mid-June, Anne's definitive cancer diagnosis came on June 1st, just two and a half weeks before her wedding. The wedding took place but the honeymoon was postponed. Two days after the ceremony, Anne's port-a-cath was placed and she began chemotherapy. By February 2007, after months of chemotherapy and radiation, Anne acheived remission. She and her husband, Jay, booked their long-anticipated and much-deserved honeymoon to Hawaii for June. However, in May 2007, Anne began to complain of severe pain on her left side. On June 1st, one year to the day after her initial cancer diagnosis, Anne was re-diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's disease. Her cancer had relapsed. The new protocol was intense chemotherapy proceeded by a bone marrow stem cell transplant. The actual transplant took place on September 19, 2007, a date Anne and her family now call her "2nd birthday". According to Anne, "it has been a long and difficult battle with lots of roadblocks". However, with the support of her husband, her family, her friends and her own will to survive, Anne has triumphed. "I am now feeling so much better. My strength is improving every day as is my stamina. I look forward to returning to my job as a nurse at the same hospital where [I was treated]." Anne has participated in the Worcester Light The Night Walk since 2006. In October 2007, after a little over a year of treatment, Anne proudly carried a white balloon for the first time. According to Anne, "To many people it may seem like just a balloon. To me, the white balloon is a symbol of a fighter, a survivor, someone who doesn't give up. I will carry that balloon for the rest of my life."
Favorite Food: French Fries Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Games: Sorry and Wii
Favorite Sports: Football, Hockey and Swimming Pet: Chocolate Lab, "Bauer"
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 Meet Hunter Durfee. Hunter is 17 years old and an Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. In May 2002, Hunter visited his doctor complaining of chronic fever, fatigue and shortness of breath. After receiving a bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy, the official leukemia diagnosis came on May 3rd. Hunter then underwent a two and a half year protocol of chemotherapy and was successfully put into remission. In early February 2007, Hunter was re-admitted to the hospital due to a chronic, excrutiating headache. On Febuary 9, 2007, Hunter's doctors confirmed that his ALL had returned. Hunter had relapsed. According to Hunter, "when I was told I relapsed, I didn't want to believe it. I was in shock. My first thoughts were that I couldn't possibly beat leukemia a second time around, and that it was all so unfair". Hunter didn't give up however, and is now receiving a two year intensive protocol of high dose chemotherapy and cranial radiation to treat his cancer. When asked what has inspired him to continue, Hunter's response was immediate: "My mother! I make my mom go to every appointment and spend the night when I am admitted. Some nights I wake her up to just sit with me. My mom stays strong for me and refuses to let me give up on myself." Hunter has made the most of his cancer diagnosis and journey. He has served as an honored hero for the Pennies for Patients School & Youth Campaign, and has been instrumental in teaching kids in his area the importance of funding research and finding cures. Hunter first participated in the Light The Night Walk in Worcester last Fall (2007). We look forward to having him join us again this year.
Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Sports: Golf & Tennis
Favorite Color: Orange Pets:: English Bulldog, "McGruff" Favorite Game: Chrono Cross
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Meet Jake Maguire. Jake is 7 years old and an Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. Jake's cancer journey began mid-summer 2006 when he suffered from a case of strep throat that just would not go away. The strep was quickly followed by wrist and ankle pain, along with persistant headaches and fatigue. Concerned about lyme disease, Jake's doctors performed blood tests. The result: On July 26, 2006, three days before his 6th birthday, Jake was diagnosed with ALL. He immediately began treatment which included a one month induction period of chemotherapy followed by two years of weekly chemotherapy sessions. Treatment has been difficult for Jake--there have been lots of medicines and needles, and the oral medications have been especially challenging for him. But he has been extremely brave and definitely deserves the title of "survivor" and "hero". Jake will finish his treatment in August 2008. He is currently serving as an honored hero in the LLS's Pennies for Patients program, inspiring kids just like him to make a diffference. This will be Jake's first experience with Light The Night, and we look forward to having him walk in Boston.
Pets: One dog, "Zoe", and one cat "Ziggy" Favorite Food: Cheese Fries Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Sport: Basketball Favorite Movie: Surf's Up Favorite Animal: Cobras
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 Meet Valrie Waible. Valrie is 43 years old and an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) survivor. In August 2005, Valrie began to notice bruises all over her body. Concerned, she visited her doctor who performed a series of blood tests. The result? Very low platelet count, very low white blood cell count, and ultimately a cancer diagnosis. Valrie and her family were in complete disbelief, shocked and saddened by the news. They were convinced that the doctors had made a mistake with the diagnosis as she looked and felt fine. Such was not the case. Valrie was immediately admitted to the hospital where she stayed for 29 days, receiving her first round of IV chemotherapy. On September 14, 2005, Valrie and her family received the wonderful news that she had achieved remission. Valrie is still in treatment but has remained cancer free. When asked what has kept her going despite all the draining cancer treatments, Valrie responded: "We have a tremendous group of family and friends that have stepped in to take care of everything. That allowed me to concentrate on getting better when I knew everything was okay at home." Today, Valrie lives in Nashua, New Hampshire with her husband, Stephen, and three children (Vanessa, age 12; Stevie, age 11; and Sophia, age 6). She has been participating in the Nashua Light The Night Walk since 2005, and considers it a way of celebrating her remission each year.
Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Music: Elton John
Favorite Game: Queen of Spades Favorite Animal: Cats Favorite Sport: Boston Red Sox (!)
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Meet Jake Butler. Jake is 11 years old and an Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. In July 2007, Jake and his family began noticing random, excessive brusing and red dots (medically known as "petechia") all over his body. Jake's doctor ran a complete blood cell count (CBC) which yielded the ultimate diagnosis. Jake's life changed on July 17, 2007. He spent 2 weeks in the hospital receiving spinal taps, bone marrow aspirates, and placement of a PIC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line. Jake then made weekly trips to the hospital, including 4 admissions for high dose chemotherapy treatments (including one extended stay over Thanksgiving). Jake is still in treatment, receiving radiation therapy in conjunction with his chemo, but is doing well. His cancer journey has been physically and emotionally draining on him and he is excited for when it is all over and he can be a "normal kid" again. Jake currently lives in Nashua, NH with his parents and older sister, Hailey (age 12). This will be Jake and his family's second year participating in the Nashua Light The Night Walk. In September 2007, Jake walked with his friends and family on "Jake's Angels and Val's Pals." (Jake is friends with Valrie Waible, another Light The Night honored hero). We look forward to celebrating with him, again.
Favorite Sports: Baseball and Snow Boarding Pets: One cat (Tiger) and one dog (Blackjack)
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