Truman: Defeat Leukemia & Power Up
Donation protected
Creating this campaign is done with a heavy heart. Both Harrison (15) & Truman (14) we’re born with a bone marrow failure disease called Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS). There are only 200 kids in the US diagnosed with this disease. General prognosis is difficult to manage and accept. We have lived with it since Harrison was 6 months old and Truman was diagnosed at birth. The boys have faced many hospital stays, yearly biopsies and many other challenges, overcoming each with dignity and humor. While Harrison is needle phobic, Truman has never cried getting his blood drawn, even as an infant. He is fascinated by how things work and chooses to watch. Truman is delightful. As we look back at photos, he is goofy in nearly every picture. He’s often holding a Nemo or loving on one of our pets. Before he went to the hospital, be covered all his stuffed animals with a soft blanket, kissed them and said, “I’ll be back soon.” We do FaceTime just so he can hear our cats purr.
He has had blue, yellow, and now orange hair and is proud to say “my mom does it!” I’ve never dyed a toupee before but if that’s what he wants, I’ll do it. .
His favorite color? The rainbow
Those of you who have met and know him, can see that he is a special and unique young man. Maybe that’s why we gave him a unique name! His love, kindness for others, and mission is to make you smile. He does magic tricks at school for that purpose. His small gifts of origami hearts to food servers and other people as gifts represents his love. He considers favorite colors and interests before he crafts paper art. Because he was feeling so sick on Mother’s Day, he didn’t get to make me what he wanted. He has requested and I’m bringing him paper because he wants to make origami for his nurses and a surprise. ☺️. Blood and platelet transfusions are making him feel better. He is dependent on them.
Truman’s life’s purpose is to bring other people joy with God’s love. While our family has always been quite private, Chris and I need to ask for support for Truman.
Truman has AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and it is aggressive. After fighting Cancer, he will need an immediate bone marrow transplant. His body and spirit are being asked to fight. With the worlds best doctors at UCSF, we are confident in their ability to save Truman’s life and manage his symptoms. We do not know how long this will go on. We pray for time and strength.
While it’s very expensive to live in SF, it’s also incredibly expensive to be sick there and to care for your hospitalized child. We are thankful for help we are getting with Harrison.
Our lives have changed in less than a week's time. We have already been shuffling every part of our lives but there is more to do. Harrison needs to finish his sophomore year strong. Truman’s middle school is looking for a way to have him be live-streamed into his 8th grade graduation and his brother will walk the stage for him.
The emotional toll is high and routine things like grocery shopping are low on our list. We know we must all take care of ourselves. Thank you to friends who remind us.
While we have insurance, there are countless medical and other expenses. In order for him to take some of his treatment at home, he will need a germ-free environment. Our family wants to spend as much time with our precious boy as much as we can and the "business" of taking care of a child with Cancer is exhausting. It’s hard to leave the hospital and SF is so far! Chris and I are trying to switch out but it’s hard to leave and be away.
We are blessed by our friends who have and want to help us. Being private and humble people, we have been often quite about the many challenges that have come and gone. We have faced many scares but have overcome them. This time is different. We need prayer warriors and support to get through this.
Children teach us much about ourselves. Whether they are big or small, short or tall, funny or sad, loving or mad, in sickness and health, there is nothing in the world more precious than children.
Those who know Truman, know that he cares about others more than usual teenagers. His humor makes people smile. He is our goof-ball and makes us laugh daily, even most days while in hospital! He is compassionate and a child of God. He has done group prayers and prays nightly under his covers.
The love Chris, Harrison and I have for Truman is boundless. If you would like to donate for us to support his medical expenses, food for our family, or other things our saturated minds can not even conceive, please do. Gift cards for Uber Eats or Grubhub are very appreciated.
Your love and support is priceless and prayers for Truman and our family mean so much to us. Everyone faces life challenges and while our grief is crushing, it is also devastating to know that many of you can relate to our experience. Our private SDS support group have heartbreaking daily challenges and their wisdom and support is a blessing. Cancer sucks.
Much love to all of you and your families. Embrace every hour and don't sweat the small stuff. Life is precious and can change so quickly. Even we know that things can always be worse.
Gratefulness = happiness.
With our love to you all,
Chris, Harrison, Truman and Jodie

He has had blue, yellow, and now orange hair and is proud to say “my mom does it!” I’ve never dyed a toupee before but if that’s what he wants, I’ll do it. .
His favorite color? The rainbow
Those of you who have met and know him, can see that he is a special and unique young man. Maybe that’s why we gave him a unique name! His love, kindness for others, and mission is to make you smile. He does magic tricks at school for that purpose. His small gifts of origami hearts to food servers and other people as gifts represents his love. He considers favorite colors and interests before he crafts paper art. Because he was feeling so sick on Mother’s Day, he didn’t get to make me what he wanted. He has requested and I’m bringing him paper because he wants to make origami for his nurses and a surprise. ☺️. Blood and platelet transfusions are making him feel better. He is dependent on them.
Truman’s life’s purpose is to bring other people joy with God’s love. While our family has always been quite private, Chris and I need to ask for support for Truman.
Truman has AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and it is aggressive. After fighting Cancer, he will need an immediate bone marrow transplant. His body and spirit are being asked to fight. With the worlds best doctors at UCSF, we are confident in their ability to save Truman’s life and manage his symptoms. We do not know how long this will go on. We pray for time and strength.
While it’s very expensive to live in SF, it’s also incredibly expensive to be sick there and to care for your hospitalized child. We are thankful for help we are getting with Harrison.
Our lives have changed in less than a week's time. We have already been shuffling every part of our lives but there is more to do. Harrison needs to finish his sophomore year strong. Truman’s middle school is looking for a way to have him be live-streamed into his 8th grade graduation and his brother will walk the stage for him.
The emotional toll is high and routine things like grocery shopping are low on our list. We know we must all take care of ourselves. Thank you to friends who remind us.
While we have insurance, there are countless medical and other expenses. In order for him to take some of his treatment at home, he will need a germ-free environment. Our family wants to spend as much time with our precious boy as much as we can and the "business" of taking care of a child with Cancer is exhausting. It’s hard to leave the hospital and SF is so far! Chris and I are trying to switch out but it’s hard to leave and be away.
We are blessed by our friends who have and want to help us. Being private and humble people, we have been often quite about the many challenges that have come and gone. We have faced many scares but have overcome them. This time is different. We need prayer warriors and support to get through this.
Children teach us much about ourselves. Whether they are big or small, short or tall, funny or sad, loving or mad, in sickness and health, there is nothing in the world more precious than children.
Those who know Truman, know that he cares about others more than usual teenagers. His humor makes people smile. He is our goof-ball and makes us laugh daily, even most days while in hospital! He is compassionate and a child of God. He has done group prayers and prays nightly under his covers.
The love Chris, Harrison and I have for Truman is boundless. If you would like to donate for us to support his medical expenses, food for our family, or other things our saturated minds can not even conceive, please do. Gift cards for Uber Eats or Grubhub are very appreciated.
Your love and support is priceless and prayers for Truman and our family mean so much to us. Everyone faces life challenges and while our grief is crushing, it is also devastating to know that many of you can relate to our experience. Our private SDS support group have heartbreaking daily challenges and their wisdom and support is a blessing. Cancer sucks.
Much love to all of you and your families. Embrace every hour and don't sweat the small stuff. Life is precious and can change so quickly. Even we know that things can always be worse.
Gratefulness = happiness.
With our love to you all,
Chris, Harrison, Truman and Jodie
Organizer
Jodie Steeley
Organizer
Fresno, CA