Mary W.Follow

At the end of October 2009, Mary seemed like any other healthy teenager as she celebrated her 14th birthday -- playing volleyball for her school team and looking forward to a busy and fun-filled 8th grade year.

However, a cold that wouldn't go away, a couple of dizzy spells, and an episode of extreme shortness of breath during volleyball practice sent her to the pediatrician to see what was up, and on 11/10/09 we were given the devastating news that Mary had been diagnosed with high-risk pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

Mary began her two-and-a-half year treatment journey with her usual indomitable spirit, guided by the wonderful staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Now, 15 months later, the 8 months of weekly chemotherapy treatments along with the attendant nausea, weight and hair loss, physical weakness, and weeks of missed school are behind her.

Mary is currently undergoing the two years of maintenance treatments, consisting of monthly IV chemotherapy and spinal taps along with daily, weekly, and monthly pills to be taken at home. Her boundless energy has almost fully returned, her weight is back to normal, her hair is growing back, she's started high school, is looking forward to getting her driver's learning permit, and is even back on the volleyball court -- not quite where she was 18 months ago, but she's working on it.

Your generous donations to St. Baldrick's Foundation have funded the research that gave our Mary her excellent chance for a full recovery. From all of Mary's family and friends, thank you so much!