I've answered the call but I am no hero! The kids who have lived with cancer are the heros. I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. This is my second year shaving my Shiny Dome and I hope you will help me meet my goal of $2500.
I am raising donations in honor of Abe. He lost his battle with cancer last May and I would like you to read about what an awesome dude he was. This letter was written by his Uncle. Marilyn and Cole, Thank you so much for remembering and honoring Abe for the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser! I’ve included information and pictures below for your use and to provide more insight into Abe’s life and his many interests. As you will see from the pictures, Abe was a Number One Minnesota Twins baseball fan! He watched or listened to every game possible. His favorite player was center fielder Carlos “Go-Go” Gomez – he really liked the nickname. Abe was fortunate to attend a few Twins games while he was staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis. Those nights were some of his fondest experiences. Abe was visited in the hospital by Bert Blyleven former Twins player and now TV announcer for Twins games – this was also a very memorable day for Abe. Abe is in an area of Greenwood Cemetery that is directly across from the university baseball field, fitting for such a dedicated baseball fan I think. Front row seats, little man, you can hear the crack of the bat all summer long. I think Al chose the perfect spot. It's also very close to their house & to the school. Ben likes the fact that his school bus drives by there every day. Abraham was born December 21, 2000, in Bemidji, MN. Father Al; mother Kelly, older brother Isaac (15) and younger brother Ben (9). Abe would have been 11 years old this past Christmas. Abe was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November 2003, just before his 3rd birthday. This type of leukemia is treated for 3 years with chemotherapy. Abe was treated & completed therapy in January of 2007. In August of 2007, just 6 months after finishing chemo, Abe relapsed in his bone marrow & then completed 2 1/2 more years of relapse chemo. He was treated on protocol AALL0433. Unfortunately, Abe relapsed for a second time in early August of 2010. He underwent more chemo at Children's Hospital of Minneapolis followed by a double cord blood transplant at the University of Minnesota on December 9, 2010. Abe passed away on May 13, 2011 as a result of respiratory failure. He was more than 5 months post-transplant.