Cogan Family Fund
Donation protected
On Sunday, September 30, 2018 Tracy and Andrei Cogan heard 4 words that no parent would ever want to hear, “your son has leukemia.”
The news came as quite a shock because Quinn had been playing soccer and flag football just days before he was diagnosed with
high risk T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a type of acute leukemia meaning that it is aggressive
and progresses quickly. It affects the lymphoid-cell-producing stem cells, in particular a type of white blood cell called T lymphocytes as opposed to
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which commonly affects B lymphocytes.
Quinn’s only symptoms showed up as a rash and a low-grade fever. The “rash” turned out to be tiny blood vessels bursting underneath his skin.
His white blood cell count was elevated to 3 times the normal amount that white blood counts should be for a child his age. The next day Quinn
began chemotherapy and started the 29 day induction phase of his treatment. His little body accepted the treatment so well that he was able
to leave the pediatric intensive care unit in 4 days and the hospital within 7 days. Through his induction period Quinn received spinal taps,
bone marrow aspirations, blood transfusions, and had to fight off infections. He was able to start the Consolidation phase of his treatment
which was 78 days of intense chemotherapy, antibiotics, and steroids. Quinn suffered 2 seizures midway through the treatment and his
protocol was reassessed to remove one of the chemotherapy drugs to ensure he would not have any other adverse reactions to treatment.
He is currently in the Interim Maintenance phase of his treatment which is 8 weeks of reduced chemotherapy intake. The IM phase aims to
destroy any leukemic cells left in Quinn’s bone marrow or blood. His immune system has been robust enough to with stand him going back
to his school and having very low level activity with his friends on occasion. Once Quinn completes IM he will move into the most difficult
phase of treatment which is called Delayed Intensification. Delayed intensification is similar to another induction and consolidation
phase and lasts for 8 weeks.
Quinn has been a warrior through it all and never complains about the pain and treatment that he is undergoing. The total length of therapy
(induction, consolidation, and maintenance) for most Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatment plans is 2 to 3 years. Because boys are at
higher risk for relapse than girls, many doctors favor giving them several more months of treatment. The Cogans ask for your continued thoughts
and well wishes for him as he goes through things no child should ever experience. Andrei, Tracy, Quinn, and Zane would like to thank
all the people that make up their village and who have given their time, compassion, and money to this sweet little 6-year-old boy.
The news came as quite a shock because Quinn had been playing soccer and flag football just days before he was diagnosed with
high risk T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a type of acute leukemia meaning that it is aggressive
and progresses quickly. It affects the lymphoid-cell-producing stem cells, in particular a type of white blood cell called T lymphocytes as opposed to
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which commonly affects B lymphocytes.
Quinn’s only symptoms showed up as a rash and a low-grade fever. The “rash” turned out to be tiny blood vessels bursting underneath his skin.
His white blood cell count was elevated to 3 times the normal amount that white blood counts should be for a child his age. The next day Quinn
began chemotherapy and started the 29 day induction phase of his treatment. His little body accepted the treatment so well that he was able
to leave the pediatric intensive care unit in 4 days and the hospital within 7 days. Through his induction period Quinn received spinal taps,
bone marrow aspirations, blood transfusions, and had to fight off infections. He was able to start the Consolidation phase of his treatment
which was 78 days of intense chemotherapy, antibiotics, and steroids. Quinn suffered 2 seizures midway through the treatment and his
protocol was reassessed to remove one of the chemotherapy drugs to ensure he would not have any other adverse reactions to treatment.
He is currently in the Interim Maintenance phase of his treatment which is 8 weeks of reduced chemotherapy intake. The IM phase aims to
destroy any leukemic cells left in Quinn’s bone marrow or blood. His immune system has been robust enough to with stand him going back
to his school and having very low level activity with his friends on occasion. Once Quinn completes IM he will move into the most difficult
phase of treatment which is called Delayed Intensification. Delayed intensification is similar to another induction and consolidation
phase and lasts for 8 weeks.
Quinn has been a warrior through it all and never complains about the pain and treatment that he is undergoing. The total length of therapy
(induction, consolidation, and maintenance) for most Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia treatment plans is 2 to 3 years. Because boys are at
higher risk for relapse than girls, many doctors favor giving them several more months of treatment. The Cogans ask for your continued thoughts
and well wishes for him as he goes through things no child should ever experience. Andrei, Tracy, Quinn, and Zane would like to thank
all the people that make up their village and who have given their time, compassion, and money to this sweet little 6-year-old boy.
Fundraising team (2)
Brian Ryerson
Organizer
Platte City, MO
Andrei Cogan
Beneficiary
Karlinta McKeever
Team member
