Booker Hecht's Story Starts Here
After five days of a rising temperature and two visits to the pediatrician without much change, they urged mom Andrea and dad Andy to take 20-month-old Booker to the emergency room. His only symptoms at the time were a consistent temperature, no appetite, and unusual tiredness. Anyone who knows their little man would be alarmed, because he usually has an unbelievable amount of energy that falls second only to his appetite.
During their visit to the ER, the doctor discovered abnormal blood cells that were of concern, and the family was transferred to the University of Chicago, Comers Children’s Hospital for further analysis. It’s there that their world was turned upside down.
A Rare Cancer Diagnosis
On Friday, July 30, Booker was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) - a very rare cancer, especially for toddlers. Over the next three months, Bookie will undergo rounds of very aggressive chemotherapy, following which, the doctors will reevaluate what next steps for treatment will be. AML calls for around-the-clock treatment and a rigid in-hospital regimen that will keep them away from home for most of the remainder of the year. They are taking it day by day, but as you can imagine, it's felt like a nightmare thus far. They are doing their best to stay positive and keep their brave Bookie in high spirits as he boards up in the hospital with mom or dad in an isolation room unable to leave. Please send your prayers and love as they face the tough battle ahead.
How Can You Help?
The costs associated with fighting Bookie's AML are overwhelming and transparently unaffordable for the Hechts, especially considering the uncertain duration of surgeries, treatments, food, transportation (two-hour roundtrips to the hospital), childcare for their 4-year-old son Rexton, and Andrea's loss of income in order to care for Booker in the hospital.
The Hechts would be elated to receive any of your financial contributions as they fight Leukemia together.
