Support Chris's fight against leukemia

On Nov.15, 2021, my dear friend Carina Holmes received one of the most devastating news a parent could get...Chris, her sweet and innocent 13 year old son, had cancer.

With his shy smile and quiet demeanor, Chris is a gentle kid who wouldn't hurt a fly. He is both thoughtful and smart, and only talks when he has something to say...most time you wouldn't even know he is around. He is every parent's dream child really.

He enjoys watching movies, playing video games and of course good-natured banter with his younger sister Bella.

In early November 2021, Chris started having joint pain, low grade fever, stomach aches and loss of appetite. Once a petechial rash presented itself, his mother knew things were serious enough to seek help.

After some initial blood work a leukemia diagnosis was confirmed and Chris was transfered to Texas Children Hospital, where additional blood tests were done, platelets transfusions given, lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy done and port placed for future chemotherapy and bloodwork.It was confirmed at this time that Chris had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

The 5 year survival rate for children is 90% but goes lower if child is in high risk category which Chris is; older then 10 when diagnosed, inital WBC count, African American, male, number of chromosomes in leukemia cells and changes within them, response to initial treatment, etc. In plain english, this statistic is meaningless....only time will tell.

As I've learned these horrible news I remembered myself thinking....

How does one cope in those moments?

How does a child? How does a mother?

How do you keep moving forward and staying strong for your child?

What is in us that gives us the ability to accept this new reality no matter how devastating? How do we go on despite the overwhelming desire to fall to our knees and cry? Cry at the unfairness of such an illness on a child who tragically lost his sister just a year ago. At 13, Chris has experienced plenty of tragedy in his family life and continues with fight of his own.

Chris might've taken the news of his diagnosis as child would but learned quickly what it's gonna take to see it through in the next 2.5 years.This is how long maintenance treatment will last for leukemia.

He has aged and matured in the way of pain and horrendous side effects of chemotherapy, weekly lumbar punctures, nausea, vomiting, back pain, joint and muscle pain, inability to walk and depends on others for his basic needs.He is worn out and tired and told his mother numerous times that he is done fighting it and she is having the hardest time with him taking his medications.He is in need of constant supervision, it's truly heartbreaking.

I pray and hope for the best outcome for Chris and his family. Family that has always been there for others and provided a helping hand.

As you can imagine, the financial burden of cancer treatments is as unforgiving as chemo drugs are and I wanted to ask you all today to help this family in any way you can...big or small to at least lessen this burden for them.

With all of this said I'm reminded of the old saying:  "WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE LEMONADE"

It could've been any one of us in their shoes too.

I appeal on your Humanity, Kindness and Giving Spirit to sweeten their lemonade.