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. During the summer of 2011, shortly after I turned 10 years old, I began to feel very tired - so tired that I didn't want to play outside at all. I was on a softball team but couldn't participate in a few games when first one knee, then the other knee, became swollen. After several days of recurring fevers, my parents took me to my doctor who immediately ordered several tests. The first time I had my blood taken, I was extremely nervous - little did I know what was ahead of me! I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on July 13, 2011 and I spent the next 10 days in the hospital. The next several months were very difficult and scary as I had several surgeries, blood and platelet transfusions, hospital visits and a variety of extremely strong chemotherapy that made me very sick. As hard as it was, I was fortunate to have wonderful teachers, staff, friends and my brother and sister at my school. They were incredibly supportive and I was able to attend 5th grade for much of the year. My treatment plan for ALL is 2-1/2 years and I'm currently in the maintenance phase, which is easier on my body. I'm enjoying 6th grade at my new Middle School and am proud to support their fundraising efforts this year. Go Powell Bald Dogs!