Hello Everyone!,

I'm standing in solidarity with Hannah a student of mine living with osteosarcoma and Alexander Massimino who is bravely fighting leukemia this year. WE unfortunately understand what it's like to live with cancer at a young age. In an effort to raise awareness and show my support for everything Hannah and Alexander persevere through I'm volunteering as a shavee and will shave my head on March 23. We would be honored if you could show your support with a donation of any amount you're comfortable with.

Please read Alexander's courageous story here.  I had the privilege of meeting his dad Keith this past year and was inspired by what this little warrior has endured.  

            August 21st was a normal morning like most in our house. My wife was making breakfast while the boys played on the swings. Alexander came inside after a short time complaining of ear pain. He had reoccurring ear pain for about a month on and off. Eva was packing him up to take him to the walk-in when he started to cry uncontrollably. Just then his face showed signs of palsy on one side. We instantly called 911 thinking he was having a stroke. The ambulance arrived soon after and raced him to Yale-New haven hospital.

At first, the doctors there thought he had bells palsy or Lyme disease from a tick bite. They were about to send us home with antibiotics when his blood work came back. It showed a white blood count of 100k when the normal range is about 5k. They explained to us that this was a telltale sign of leukemia.

Over the next few days, we learned Alexander had B-cell ALL leukemia with the Philadelphia positive chromosome. This is a very rare subtype of b-cell ALL affecting around 150 kids annually in the US. We learned that although his condition was treatable the road to recovery would be much more treacherous than if it was just plain B-cell ALL.

Alexander's leukemia went into remission on Dec. 28th. He did not achieve remission from standard chemo and steroids. But thankfully he received TKI therapy as well as blinatumomab over 8 weeks which helped him achieve a deep remission for his leukemia, as well as his BCR-ABLE (the Philly gene).

At that point, our doctors advised us that a Bone marrow transplant would give him the best shot at a cure long term. Eva and Alex went into the hospital on 2/21 to start radiation in preparation for the transplant. He received Total body irradiation twice a day for 4 days. Alex then received his life-saving gift on 2/28. He's doing very well and his team is hopeful he will engraft shortly. As soon as he's well enough he will be able to return home and we all can be together again. Eva has been with him every day and has not left the hospital since he was admitted.

Cancer kills more of our kids than any other disease. Research can change that, and I don’t want to let these kids down. Can you help? 

Thank you so much!

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

 Hannah, Alexander, and Marco