Gwyneth’s Story: A Journey of Strength and Resilience On March 11, 2024, Gwyneth Wade’s world changed forever when she was diagnosed with High-Risk B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). It all started a month earlier with a persistent sore throat that refused to go away, followed by dizziness and weakness that didn’t improve despite efforts to hydrate and eat. These seemingly small symptoms were the first signs of a much bigger battle ahead. As her family searched for answers, an environmental doctor discovered mycotoxins from mold in Gwyneth’s mother. Testing Gwyneth for these toxins revealed not only the presence of mycotoxins but also leukemia cells in her bloodwork. It was a shocking and overwhelming discovery, but it marked the beginning of Gwyneth’s journey to fight for her health. The induction phase of her treatment brought challenges few could imagine. Gwyneth developed typhlitis, a serious intestinal infection, as well as fungal infections. Over four grueling days, she endured surgeries to remove the infection and repair her colon. Her abdomen remained open with suction, leaving her awake, intubated, and fighting for her life in the PICU. After surgeons did everything possible, Gwyn was given an ileostomy to allow her colon the time it needed to heal. The ileostomy is planned to be reversed during her maintenance treatment. Despite the overwhelming pain and fear, Gwyneth’s determination shone through. Even intubated, she found ways to communicate, first by tracing letters into her mother’s hands and later by writing in a notebook. It took a full month for her to regain her voice. By the time she was released after nearly two months in the hospital, she had lost significant weight and muscle. Yet, her spirit remained unbroken. As she worked to recover, Gwyneth faced more obstacles. At the end of the Consolidation phase, she developed fungal pneumonia. The decision to insert a feeding tube was a difficult one, but it proved crucial in her fight. With aggressive treatment, she overcame the pneumonia and continues to take antifungal medication to safeguard her health. Now, Gwyneth is finishing the Interim Maintenance phase of her treatment—a phase that, for once, felt almost manageable. She cleared the critical 48-hour mark for hospital discharge three times, and her family anticipates she will do so again for this final round. Her strength has returned, and she’s back to her pre-diagnosis weight. Though the upcoming Delayed Intensification phase is expected to be tough, Gwyneth and her family remain optimistic. Through every trial, Gwyneth has shown resilience, strength, and a will to push forward. She is determined to graduate this May, a milestone that will symbolize not just academic achievement but triumph over adversity. Though the journey has taken so much from her, the future holds countless good times and opportunities to reclaim the life she has fought so hard to preserve. Gwyneth’s story is one of courage, hope, and the power of the human spirit. She is a fighter, and her best days are still ahead. Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.