Hi, my name is Carter Gates and I am 12 years old. To begin my story I was diagnosed with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on April 30, 2013. It was very scary. My treatment is for  3 1/2 years. I have been through a lot of pain but have never stopped fighting and smiling. There has been lots of suffering.  I had radiation to my brain. I have to get poked by a butterfly needle in my chest which sends medicine through my heart. I have gone to the hospital more times than I can count for chemo and lumbar punctures (directly inject chemo into my spinal fluid) and lots of other issues.  I have to get chemo treatments for 3 1/2 years. If I get a fever I have to go to the hospital. I live with very awful pain which is caused by nerve damage from the chemo (neuropathy). I finally finished treatment in September 2016. My outlook on life is I always have a smile on my face no matter what. I have the best attitude and I like to say "attitude is everything." St Baldrick's is important to me because they are helping fund childhood cancer research to find better cures for cancer. The treatment gives us awful side effects and we deserve better. Thank you for your help. You are making a difference in my life.  Love, Carter