Honored Kid

Jacob Kowalik

Jacob Kowalik Kid Photo

Location

Downers Grove, IL, US

Diagnosis

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Date of Diagnosis

February 2009

Status

Angel

Change your kid's logo

My Story

In July 2009 Jacob was diagnosed with MDS (pre leukemia to AML) and Monosomy 7. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. MDS is a pre-leukemia that over time turns into AML (acute Myelogenous Leukemia). 

 In October 2009, Jacob had a bone marrow transplant. Although the bone marrow transplant was successful he continued to battle Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease which meant his body rejected the transplant and was having a difficult time accepting the cells. For the next 4 1/2 years Jacob spent a lot of time in the hospital, at dialysis clinics and physical and occupational therapy. During his good days and when he had the energy he tried to be a normal little boy. He loved to read, play ball, ride his bike and play legos. Jacob's positive attitude and incredible spirit shined through this horrible battle. He will always be our "SuperHero".

The Childhood Cancer Ripple Effect

Who's Honoring Me

Help Give Kids a Lifetime

Infants, children, teens and young adults are depending on us to find cures for childhood cancers — and to give survivors long and healthy lives.

Support lifesaving childhood cancer research today.

Photo submission policy

Please read the photo submission policy and accept below.

By submitting a photograph of yourself on www.StBaldricks.org, you agree to the following terms and conditions for submission of your photograph:

We strongly encourage all users to submit a before and after photo, so that donors and fellow participants can easily recognize and relate to one another.

Any photo containing cartoons, comics, celebrities, nudity, pornography, sexually explicit images or any copyrighted image (unless you own the copyright) is not permitted. This is because photos of celebrities and cartoon or comic images are generally copyrighted by the owner.

Uploading images of other people without their permission is also prohibited.

This photo submission policy applies to StBaldricks.org users. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation reserves the right to review all photos and to remove any photo for any reason at our sole discretion. If you see a photo on StBaldricks.org that you believe does not conform to this policy, email to WebQuestions@StBaldricks.org