Help James fight Leukemia

Until a week ago, Mike and Lauren led a busy and full life with their two active young children, 6-year-old Lila and 3-year-old James. Mike is a physical therapist. Lauren works as a Pilates teacher and a licensed massage therapist. Both are passionate about what they do and work hard to raise a young family.

On October 13th, when James was picked up from day care, his teacher noted that James was acting quiet that day and not at all like his playful self. At home, James quickly developed a fever, a cough, and was wheezing from his chest. That night, at Yale New Haven Pediatric Emergency Room, James was having difficulty breathing. An X-ray quickly revealed half of James's chest wall was blocked by a massive tumor.

Over the next several days at the hospital, CT scans, blood tests, a biopsy, and spinal tap confirmed every parent's worst nightmare. James was diagnosed with an aggressive form of T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The cancer has spread to his bone marrow.

In the hands of a caring and capable team at Yale New Haven's Pediatric Oncology Unit, James begins receiving intensive chemotherapy, and is responding well to initial treatment.

The Racca family has a long road ahead of them. As James fights cancer, he is expected to receive ongoing chemotherapy for 2-3 years.

Mike and Lauren are suddenly faced with significant emotional and financial challenges as they help their lively little boy get his life back on track while caring for James's big sister, Lila. Both will need to be with the family as James continues chemotherapy several times per week, for many months to come.

Your kind support, in any amount, will help James and his family with this unexpected financial challenge. If you are not in position to make a monetary donation, your prayer for James's speedy recovery is much appreciated.