An Unexpected Intermission

In the winter of 2026, my nephew Graham was in the middle of auditioning for several music schools and conservatories. He was in the initial stages of planning out his post high school ambitions, and studying the cello was central to his plans. At his first lesson with his cello teacher, Dr. Lauren Posey, he told her he wanted to pursue cello as his career. He was 12. She walked him through what that would require, the discipline, years of hard work and lots of uncertainty. Graham didn’t flinch. He was all in.

Dr. Posey shared with me that as talented and hard working as Graham is with the cello, what makes Graham special goes beyond his musical talent. “He is the heart of our studio—a constant encourager, a friend to everyone, and someone who makes others feel seen and supported.” In February 2026, while traveling to auditions, Graham started getting sick. After multiple doctor visits and blood tests, Graham was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a serious and aggressive blood cancer. He was immediately admitted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City and started his first round of chemo within days.

The Road Ahead

The length and type of Graham’s treatment will be constantly changing as doctors assess how the AML responds to the chemo. One certainty is that he will need a bone marrow transplant. With extended and near full-time hospitalization, multiple rounds of chemo, a transplant and recovery, Graham’s treatment is expected to span across two years, creating ongoing and unpredictable costs. This will undoubtedly place a considerable financial strain on Tara and her family. One bit of terrific news is that Graham’s brother Benson has been identified as a full match and will be the donor for the transplant.

What You Can Do

Graham and Tara are surrounded by an incredible community of friends and family who don’t want to see them carry this burden alone. We’ve already seen so many of you offer your love and support in so many ways, and that has meant more than words can express. If you’d like to financially support Graham and Tara through this process, please donate. Every donation – no matter the amount – helps and will go towards Graham’s medical care and supporting Tara’s family through this difficult stretch.

Thanks for cheering on Graham and being part of his community of support!