Hi, I am Ishan. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the age of four. The illness changed my life, taking me on a unique journey. It all began in February of 2007. I had been unwell fo some months. One day I came back home from school early, feeling very ill. Later that afternoon I was admitted to the hospital. The doctors told me that I was sick and the treatment would require me to be at the hospital for a few days at a time and then I would recover at home until I was strong enough for the next round of treatment. I wanted to get better so I tried to be cheerful but terribly missed school and my friends. The treatment lasted for three years and after which I was in remission for 9 months. As a treat for beating cancer, my parents wanted to take me on a trip to USA as I was crazy about rockets and planes and had always wanted to visit the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. My doctors okayed the travel since I was doing so well and I couldn't have been happier.During our vacation in USA, I started getting these terrible headaches and felt very sick. I was taken to Georgetown Hospital and the doctors diagnosed that the leukemia was back. Once again I was started on chemotherapy. This time the leukemia was back stronger and the doctors said that I would not be able to fly back to India. I was devastated. It took immense effort to accept this change. The hospital staff tried their best to keep me in good spirit and became like second family to me. Later, I was transferred to Stanford Hospital, where I continued my treatment for another two years. I finished my Grade 3 from there while still on treatment. Learning, reading and music kept my mind away from the pain and discomfort of the treatment. Finally, I was well enough return to school. I was thrilled to be at school with other children of my age and was enjoying every day. Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out as I thought they would. I relapsed yet again. When I heard this news, I could not believe my luck. My only thought was ‘not again’. This time the chemotherapy was no longer working on me and the only option left was a bone marrow transplant. However, I was determined to get better and so I kept myself positive. I was filled with the belief that a strong mind could heal my body. I had my transplant in 2012 and looks like l finally beat cancer for good! I have been in remission for over 4 years. I want every child who has cancer to get cured. 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.