2007 FESTIVAL OF TREES HONOR TREE STORIES
BLAKE BOURGEOIS
When Blake was born, his family was overjoyed with his arrival. But at just 6 months old, he was diagnosed with a genetic condition that causes liver damage and prevents weight gain and growth. Doctors and staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta decided Blake’s best chance of survival was a liver transplant at the Children’s Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center. Without hesitation, Blake’s mother, Melissa, decided to be her son’s donor, and both mom and baby underwent a successful living donor transplant in June 1999. During the next several years, Blake grew and prospered—until he became sick again in 2006. Blake had his second successful liver transplant at age 8, and now he is an active third-grader who loves Superman© and Spider-Man©. Obviously, Blake was born with some super strength of his own.
BRANDON CLANTON
In January 2007, 13-year-old Brandon woke up one morning with his left eye swollen shut. A doctor told them the eye was just irritated, but Brandon’s parents knew it had to be something more. They took Brandon to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he was diagnosed with a condition that caused a tumor to grow in the soft tissue of his eye socket. Brandon had multiple chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, some of which lasted 24 hours each, and missed playing baseball this year. However, good news came in June 2007 when Brandon was told that no residual signs of his tumor remained. With continued treatments, Brandon’s prognosis looks strong, and the straight-A student’s future looks bright.
DANIEL DAURE
Daniel has seen the inside of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta more than any 3-year-old should have to. He was born prematurely June 26, 2004, with severe cerebral palsy. As a result, he is subject to a host of other challenges, including a seizure disorder, a feeding tube in his stomach and a tube in his windpipe so he can breathe. Every day he takes an average of 15 to 17 medications, and he receives physical, occupational, speech and other therapies with the goal of maximizing his potential. Daniel is a quiet, sweet-natured boy who lights up the room with his 100-watt smile.
FERNANDO DAVILA
All was well with baby Fernando (“Ferni”) during the first year of his life. However, at 16 months old, he was diagnosed with a disease that causes severe damage to the kidneys. Ferni and his family struggled with his illness for the next few years and overcame numerous health-related obstacles, including a hernia repair at age 3, two kidney biopsies and kidney failure at age 4. A kidney transplant, five days after his fifth birthday, was Ferni’s saving grace. When his family moved to Atlanta from Florida in 2006, they knew just where to take him for post-transplant treatment: the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center. Today, 6-year-old Ferni is a healthy, happy boy who wants to be just like his hero—Spider-Man©.
GRAYCE EARWOOD
Seven-year-old Grayce is a spirited girl who loves cheerleading for the Rockmart Yellow Jackets. The day after Christmas last year, Grayce’s parents noticed that she was very pale, had dark circles under her eyes and was not being her usual energetic self. At first, her pediatrician thought Grayce had a viral infection, but her lymph nodes were swollen. For the next three weeks, Grayce had many blood tests to determine what was wrong. She was admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Jan. 31, 2007. The next day, she was diagnosed with a type of cancer called leukemia. Grayce immediately began six months of chemotherapy at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s. She responded rapidly to treatment and was declared in remission. Although she completed her intense treatments, Grayce will continue to receive chemotherapy on a maintenance plan until April 2009 to ensure she remains cancer-free. The supportive staff at the Aflac Cancer Center have helped Grayce and her family through a very challenging time. Now, Grayce has rejoined her cheerleading squad and is taking part in the other fun things that girls her age love to do.
KEVIN FAIRCHILD
No one would ever know that 18-month-old Kevin, who is famous for his winning smile, has already been through so many hardships in his young life. Kevin was born with a disease that causes bile to build up in his liver. When they learned the only way to save their baby’s life was with a liver transplant, Kevin’s parents made the difficult decision to move their family all the way from Maui, Hawaii, to Atlanta so he could receive treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. After a successful transplant at the Children’s Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center, baby Kevin faced even more obstacles in his recovery, including bleeding episodes and respiratory issues. In fact, Kevin’s parents almost lost him on four occasions, but the little fighter triumphed and was finally able to come home after 186 days in the hospital. His doctors and nurses were glad to see him go home, but they will surely miss his smiling face.
ALONDRA FRAZIER
Alondra is a typical 12-year-old girl who loves fashion, modeling and, of course, shopping. But what happened to her in summer 2006 was anything but typical. A blood vessel ruptured in her brain—the result of a condition in which the arteries and veins in the brain became tangled and are not connected by capillaries. Alondra received critical care at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she was in a coma and had the excess blood drained from her brain. After two months, she continued her recovery with the help of the caring staff in the Children’s Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Alondra is getting stronger every day with the support of her loving mother.
MADISON GOSS
When Madison’s parents noticed a bulge below their 2-year-old’s right rib cage, they were referred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for a computed tomography (CT) scan. The CT scan showed a grapefruit-sized tumor in her liver and a nodule in her lung. A liver biopsy showed a rare form of liver cancer that affects only 100 to 150 children in the U.S. per year. The month after she began her first round of chemotherapy, Madison contracted a respiratory virus, which was very dangerous because her immune system was weakened from the chemotherapy treatments. She spent 10 days in the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, which was a scary time for her family. Madison got sick a few more times during her chemotherapy treatments, but she held strong through them all. The treatments proved worthwhile when the CT scan no longer showed the lung nodule, which then qualified her as an excellent candidate for a liver transplant. After three days on the transplant list, Madison received a new liver at the Children’s Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center. Madison pulled through the transplant with flying colors, and she is on her way to a full recovery.
SHATASIA GREEN
In January 2007, Shatasia’s mother noticed a bump under her daughter’s chin. It didn’t seem to bother Shatasia, but instead of getting smaller and better, the bump got larger. So, her mom took her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to see a doctor. Shatasia had tests to determine the source of the problem. The tests showed her spleen was enlarged, and Shatasia was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. In February 2007, she began intense chemotherapy treatments at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She completed her chemotherapy in May 2007 and is now monitored regularly. Shatasia loved the child life specialists at Children’s, who take the time to explain everything that is happening in a way children can understand. Shatasia is now back in school and feeling better. She is also excited about her upcoming birthday, which will be right after Christmas.
JAMES GRIFFITH
James was born about 12 weeks early and had complications related to his premature birth. He spent the first nine-and-a-half months of his life in the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he had several surgeries. James needed excess fluid drained from his brain, a tube placed in his windpipe to help him breathe and a feeding tube. At 3 months old, James suffered a stroke that left his brain without oxygen for some time and led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. He is also autistic and has a seizure disorder. James’ parents adopted him right after he was born and have been by his side ever since, learning about his condition and adapting their lives to his needs. They visit Children’s regularly for James’ doctor visits and emergency care. James’ parents are so grateful to the staff at Children’s for helping them and extending a comforting hand through all their son’s struggles.
ARIANA HAWKINS
While most 8-year-old girls fear monsters in their closets or spiders and snakes, brave Ariana has lived with larger fears. Due to sickle cell disease, a condition she was diagnosed with at birth, as well as severe asthma and allergies, the veins traveling through Ariana’s brain were damaged, which puts the young girl at high risk of a stroke. To offset the chances of having one, Ariana’s parents brought her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for blood transfusions and, eventually, a blood and marrow transplant. Thanks to the doctors and staff at Children’s, as well as her amazing strength, Ariana pulled through the transplant with only a few complications. Now Ariana can put some of her fears aside and focus on being an 8-year-old.
JORDAN HOLMES
When she isn’t busy playing with friends or telling jokes, 9-year-old Jordan can be found on the dance floor. Her passion for dancing is apparent, and even sickle cell disease and asthma can’t hold young Jordan back. She has spent a lot of time at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta receiving treatment for a condition that causes severe chest pain and can lead to lung damage. In 2003, after having her tonsils removed, Jordan needed to spend one week in the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. This was quite a scare for Jordan and her family, but the supportive staff at Children’s helped them all cope with the situation. Through her trials and health complications, Jordan continues to pull through each challenge with grace and determination.
JAMARION IVORY
Jamarion may be small for his age, but he has a tremendous spirit. Born with a cleft lip and palate and one missing toe, Jamarion also had various heart-related problems. Even when he had heart surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the little boy’s shining personality never wavered. Jamarion needed surgery to correct his cleft lip and palate as well, and he requires regular visits to the Children’s Center for Craniofacial Disorders to help with complications related to the condition. For example, Jamarion has trouble speaking due to the cleft, so he works with a speech therapist to help him speak clearly. Despite his various health problems, Jamarion is a typical 5-year-old who loves driving his red Mustang Power Wheels© and playing with his siblings. Jamarion’s mother says Children’s has been a great resource, with staff not only helping educate her on how to care for her son’s condition, but also showing support and concern for her.
CARINA JIMENEZ
Looking at her today—swimming, playing soccer and doing gymnastics—you would never know that 9-year-old Carina is a three-time liver transplant patient. Carina was born with a condition that prevents the liver from functioning properly. At the tender age of 8 months, baby Carina had her first two liver transplants. Due to organ rejection, she had a third transplant at age 2. This time, it was her first from a living donor—Carina’s mom, Anna, who donated part of her liver. Carina’s family made the move from New Mexico to Atlanta so Carina could receive care at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center. Today, thanks to Children’s, Carina can excel in any sport she chooses, because she is now a healthy and happy young girl.
KORIANA JOHNSON
Koriana was a healthy little girl for the first five years of her life. A few months after her fifth birthday, she went to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta because she was not acting like her normal self. The doctors at Children’s discovered that Koriana had a brain tumor. She underwent brain surgery, but after more than 15 hours, only a portion of the tumor could be removed safely. Koriana then began a one-year chemotherapy treatment plan. She has responded well to the chemotherapy, but because of the location of the brain tumor, she has severely impaired vision and has been declared legally blind. Also, since the surgery, Koriana has received care from the Children’s outpatient rehabilitation program to learn how to walk, talk and eat again. She is looking forward to February 2008, when she will have her final round of chemotherapy. Koriana’s health and well-being are improving every day, and she is getting back to being her active, talkative self.
JASON JONES
At age 16, Jason was active in his high school through football, track and numerous school projects. In June 2004, he was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor. Jason went to the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he was immediately placed on chemotherapy to shrink the tumor so it could be removed. After four months of chemotherapy treatments, the tumor had shrunk enough to allow doctors to remove it. Jason continued with regular check-ups that year, and everything was fine. However, in June 2005, he began to experience severe leg cramps. Jason later discovered they were caused by a malignant tumor that tends to grow rapidly in soft tissue. He began chemotherapy once again, but his body had given all it could. The tumor spread to Jason’s lungs, and he passed away June 2, 2006, at just 18 years old. Jason was a loving young man who was full of life. He endured his condition and many treatments with great strength and compassion for others. Jason was also a great artist—Spider-Man© and X-Men© were his favorite animated characters—and he hoped to turn his passion for drawing into a career as an animator.
ZUMER KADRI
When Zumer was 15 years old, she suddenly got ill while on vacation and became too weak to walk. When they returned home, Zumer’s parents took her to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center. A cardiologist at Children’s diagnosed Zumer with heart disease and severely decreased heart function. The right side of her heart was weakened, enlarged and unable to pump blood correctly. After a successful heart transplant, Zumer is active in various after-school clubs, and she enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends. One day, Zumer hopes to give back to the community by working with and relating to kids who are facing difficult medical issues.
ADAM KLAFTER
Adam was born with a rare genetic skin disorder that occurs in one in every 350,000 births. The upper layers of Adam’s skin do not bond together, leaving it fragile and susceptible to tearing with any friction or pressure. Adam’s body also produces skin at a rapid rate, which builds up thick, excess skin on his hands and feet—making simple tasks like walking very painful. Such build-up can also create skin infections, because bacteria can easily become trapped under the layers of skin. With Adam’s fragile skin, his treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and at home is a challenge that includes continuous experimentation with creams and ointments, most of which are prescription-based. Adam typically takes a long bath every day with salt water to cleanse his skin. He faces his condition with courage, and he doesn’t let it get in the way of having fun in the pool and playing miniature golf. Adam is now a 5-year-old kindergartner who looks forward to a future career as “the guy with the cool lights who directs all the airplanes.”
OLIVER KWILINSKI
Oliver was born profoundly deaf. After a hearing aid trial and testing at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Oliver was declared a good candidate for a cochlear implant (CI), a device that helps provide a sense of sound by stimulating the nerves that assist in hearing. Luckily, doctors were able to implant the device in Oliver’s ear when he was 6 months old. With the CI, Oliver was able to understand sounds in his environment, which he immediately noticed and began responding to. Oliver had his second CI surgery at 11 months old, and both times he was very well taken care of by the staff and doctors at Children’s. Now, Oliver is 18 months old, and he has begun talking with a few expressive words and understands what is being said to him. Although he will be celebrating his second Christmas in 2007, it will be the first time Oliver will truly be able to enjoy all the wonderful sounds of the holiday season.
MEMPHIS LAFFERTY
At 6 months old, little Memphis was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, a serious infection that causes inflammation of the fluid in the spinal cord and brain. He spent six months in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Dallas. Doctors gave him a poor prognosis and, after Memphis suffered a stroke, he was expected to have brain damage. However, Memphis persevered and fought hard for his life. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed there was minimal brain damage, if any. But Memphis’ trials were far from over. Complications from the meningitis forced doctors to amputate all four of his limbs. In September 2006, Memphis’ dad was offered a job in Atlanta, so once Memphis was healthy enough, the family moved to Georgia. Memphis continues to recover from his amputations under the care of doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During the past year, the Children’s Orthotics and Prosthetics team has worked closely with Memphis and his family. The staff there fitted him with prosthetic legs and a special walker, which will help him learn to walk. Memphis is fascinated with his new legs and is working hard so that one day he will be able to run and play.
TRENTON LEE
Five weeks after Trenton was born, he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable genetic disease that affects the organs, the respiratory system and the skeletal muscles. Trenton was placed on an experimental drug that helps replace the enzymes his body is missing. At 8 weeks old, Trenton began receiving chemotherapy treatments every other week at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The treatment worked, and he began to thrive. However, in January 2007, Trenton suffered respiratory failure. He was immediately admitted to the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. At age 2, Trenton was placed on a ventilator. His family thought they were preparing for the end, because his condition is fatal for three out of five infants. However, Trenton pulled through and survived a critical time. In March 2007, doctors inserted a tube in his windpipe to help him breathe even better with a ventilator. Trenton then went to the Children’s Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit to regain his strength and abilities as much as possible so he can live his life to the fullest. When he’s not at Children’s for rehabilitation every week, Trenton is playing with his siblings, dancing and clapping along to music.
JORDAN LOUGHRAN
At 3 years old, Jordan keeps his spirits high through dancing, sharing his sense of humor, and showing affection for his family, friends and pets. In August 2006, he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The best chance for a cure is extensive chemotherapy followed by a blood and marrow transplant (BMT). Jordan underwent four months of chemotherapy at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In January 2007, Jordan’s then 6-year-old sister, Khaki, donated her bone marrow to be transplanted into Jordan. Jordan recovered well from his BMT, but in March 2007 he grew very ill from an infection and was in critical condition in the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The BMT team and the PICU staff worked tirelessly to save Jordan’s life. After two weeks in the hospital, Jordan miraculously recovered and was able to go home. He continues to grow and get stronger every day, and he looks forward to starting preschool in January 2008.
SAMANTHA LYEW
On Feb. 8, 2007, 15-year-old Samantha was diagnosed with a form of cancer called leukemia. She was immediately admitted to the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for diagnostic tests, chemotherapy and blood transfusions. Samantha went home eight days later on daily chemotherapy treatments. Sami, as her family calls her, lettered in academics at Brookwood High School while continuing to dance at her school and for Praise-in-Motion, a Christian dance company. She has also run in six Peachtree Road Races, shops without tiring, and maintains church activities with Lilburn Christian Church’s youth and children’s ministry. Her family feels blessed to have the doctors and staff at the Aflac Cancer Center to care for Sami. Thanks to the chemotherapy treatments, Sami has a positive prognosis. She is learning to drive and hopes to participate in the VolunTEEN program at Children’s during the summer.
NICOLE MATALUNI
In 2004, 16-year-old Nicole (“Nikki”) was diagnosed with a severe form of anemia. She endured many difficult treatments at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and suffered numerous side effects and setbacks. Medical treatments were initially unsuccessful in increasing her blood counts to the point where she could live outside the hospital. In summer 2005, Nikki had a blood and marrow transplant. She showed amazing strength and courage. At a time when her peers were graduating from high school and going off to college, Nikki faced an uncertain future with determination and spirit beyond her young 18 years. Now Nikki is feeling well and making college plans to be a child life specialist, because she was so inspired and well taken care of by the Child Life team at the Aflac Cancer Center.
TERRY MILLING
In November 2002, when Terry was 5 years old, she had an emergency liver resection to remove a tumor. Doctors thought the tumor was benign, but in March 2003 another tumor was discovered in her abdomen. Terry began intensive treatment, including surgery and six months of chemotherapy at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A year and a half later, in June 2005, the tumor returned. Terry has had different types of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Aflac Cancer Center ever since. Despite it all, she has maintained her unique outlook on life. Now, at age 10, Terry puts her own color and funky designs on all her crafts, painting and pottery. One day, she hopes to be a pediatric oncologist or anesthesiologist.
DENZEL MURILLO
At birth, Denzel was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder that affects his joints. He was hospitalized at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the first 19 days of his life. During that time, Denzel was fitted for hand and leg splints, a body harness for dislocated hips, casts for club feet and a tube that helped him swallow. He also had surgery twice on his bladder, and once on his spine and one of his eyes. At age 1, Denzel had an implant in his ear to help with hearing, along with surgery on his right hand and spine. He was also hospitalized for pneumonia and a staph infection. In addition, Denzel needed speech, occupational and physical therapy. Since that time, Denzel has had additional surgeries and has been hospitalized many times, including a six-week stay in the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Despite all this, Denzel has a bright outlook on life. He loves basketball, Thomas the Tank Engine© and dance music.
MITCHELL ODENDAHL
On June 2, 2000, Mitchell’s life was changed forever. He had been the picture of health until his parents found blood in his urine. They drove him to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, expecting him to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Instead, doctors found a mass in his abdomen. Tests confirmed that Mitchell had a rare type of kidney tumor. He had surgery to remove the fast-growing, grapefruit-sized tumor and his entire right kidney. After the surgery, it was determined the tumor was in an advanced stage, and Mitchell would need six months of chemotherapy and six radiation treatments to the abdomen at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Two weeks later, additional tests indicated the cancer cells found in Mitchell were unusually aggressive and abnormal. He had an extremely rare form of cancer—only eight children per year are diagnosed with this type of cancer in the U.S. Mitchell needed more chemotherapy and had to be hospitalized every third week for the entire six months of treatment. Being the amazing little boy he is, Mitchell bravely faced each procedure with virtually no tears. He has been in remission for more than six years now, and he has an even greater enthusiasm for life than before. Mitchell is a survivor in every way.
JEFFERSON PUGA
In September 2005, when he was just 3 years old, Jefferson was diagnosed with a rare disease that affects the immune system. He was treated with chemotherapy and went into remission, but the disease came back in July 2006. The only cure is a blood and marrow transplant (BMT). Fortunately, Jefferson has five siblings, and his oldest sister, Natalia, was the best match and became his donor. Jefferson was admitted to the BMT unit at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in September 2006. In October 2006, Jefferson received a lifesaving BMT from his sister. He is now doing wonderfully and remains a sweet little boy despite all he has been through. Jefferson is often found playing soccer or baseball with Dustin, his little brother and constant companion.
JASMINE ROBINSON
Jasmine was born 12 weeks prematurely in March 1992 and weighed less than 2 pounds. When she was 13 months old, Jasmine developed a seizure disorder. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was just 16 months old. Jasmine’s cerebral palsy makes her a spastic quadriplegic with orthopaedic, speech and visual impairments. Since August 1996, she has received outpatient rehabilitation therapy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she receives occupational, physical and speech therapy along with assistive technology in the wheelchair clinic. Jasmine’s computerized wheelchair was custom-designed by the staff at Children’s, and it has a computer that communicates for her. Jasmine is a happy, joyful girl who loves the Atlanta Braves, Girl Scouts and car rides.
ALEXA ROHRBACH
Ten-year-old Alexa has been a frequent visitor to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta most of her life. At age 1, she was diagnosed with an advanced and dangerous childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. Alexa was given only a 20 percent chance to live. She had many rounds of chemotherapy at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and she survived surgery and experimental treatments at a New York City hospital. Alexa continued with follow-up appointments at Children’s. Most recently, Alexa spent several months as an inpatient at Children’s in halo traction before having spinal fusion surgery in St. Louis. She spent a month after that in the Children’s Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU). Alexa is a real miracle—she never complains and never gives up. She has a constant smile on her face, and her eyes sparkle when she meets others. She has encouraged many people along her medical journey and offers true inspiration and hope. On her last day in the CIRU, Alexa’s words of wisdom to the other patients were, “Don’t ever give up, have a positive attitude and always find something to be thankful for each day.”
JACOB SHEFFIELD
Jacob was diagnosed with a kidney disease while he was still in the womb. After he was born, Jacob was admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He began dialysis when he was just 7 days old. Jacob’s parents had so much to learn so they could properly care for their son at home—how to do dialysis, feed him with a tube, bathe him, change his bandages daily, weigh him and give him several medications three to four times a day. After a few scary episodes, Jacob began hemodialysis to continue to clean his blood from the waste that his kidneys were not able to filter out. That was until Jacob’s uncle, Eddie, was found to be a perfect candidate as a living donor. On Oct. 21, 2005, Jacob received one of his uncle’s kidneys at the Children’s Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Center. Since then, Jacob has been living a healthy, happy life. He is full of energy and joy and wants to be a painter when he grows up, just like his Pop.
ALAN SIMS
Alan had to follow strict guidelines to keep his cholesterol in order. At age 4, his cholesterol had reached an astronomical level. What were thought to be ant bites on his knees turned out to be cholesterol deposits, and for the next two years Alan took medicines that lowered his cholesterol. In September 2006, he began to have excruciating headaches and nosebleeds. Alan was then diagnosed with leukemia, a form of cancer, in November 2006. He began treatment at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Since December 2006, Alan has been in remission and his cholesterol is now cut in half. He is a strong, free-spirited little boy with a lot of heart. Alan is also the honorary chairman for his elementary school’s Relay for Life team.
KAYDE WILSON
The same day Kayde’s mother found out she was having a boy during a prenatal visit, a doctor found what was thought to be a tumor. A specialist diagnosed Kayde, while he was still in the womb, with a rare disorder in which the skull does not close properly and the brain, along with the membranes that cover it, protrude through the openings in the skull. Kayde also had water on his brain. Doctors weren’t sure if Kayde or his mother would survive. He was born Aug. 15, 2006, with his brain on the outside of his head and a protective skin over the sac. Immediately after birth, Kayde was rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. There, the doctors removed what they could of the protrusions as well as some of his brain, and they placed Kayde on a feeding tube. Since then, Kayde has had tubes—called shunts—placed in his brain to drain fluid. He is scheduled to have his feeding tube removed sometime soon. Kayde is a happy boy who loves J.J. the Jet Plane©, Baby Einstein© and the Georgia Bulldogs.
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