Team Bryan 2020
Donation protected
This fundraiser is set up for Bryan Smith on behalf of his mom, Michele Gray-Smith. Bryan is a sweet, caring, strong (just like his mom) 17 year senior at Chelmsford High School.
Here is their story:
“Saturday, Sept 21st, we heard the doctor say the words Leukemia and cancer. From that moment life changed and to be honest went into a mind-numbing world of confusion that we are still navigating.
After feeling congested, fatigued and suffering from headaches for roughly 2-3 weeks, a simple test for Mono, Strep and the flu, all coming back negative, took an unexpected turn.
Heading to Tufts Floating Hospital in Boston that same day at the urging of his physician, we speak to the on-call Dr and the unimaginable is confirmed. Bryan speaks the hardest words any person can ever speak, “do whatever you need to do to keep me alive.” Immediately admitted to the hospital, the next 24 hours filled with medical terminology, blood tests, and questions . It is overwhelming at a time when we are still trying to process what just happened with incredible disbelief.
The very next day, he received his first round of Chemo. The hardest part is waiting to see what the next step is, how he will react to it. There are no fast answers about a topic you want to be answered right now.
Then the reality just keeps coming, you're going to be in out of the hospital for 5 to 6 months. This is a hard reality for a 17-year-old. But he is strong in appearance, answering questions, making decisions, doing all they tell him to do to beat this thing. And beat it is exactly what we are going to do!”
As a community, let’s all come together to help this extraordinary family. Donations to assist with their many out of pocket expenses will allow Bryan and Michele to completely focus on Bryan’s recovery.
Here is their story:
“Saturday, Sept 21st, we heard the doctor say the words Leukemia and cancer. From that moment life changed and to be honest went into a mind-numbing world of confusion that we are still navigating.
After feeling congested, fatigued and suffering from headaches for roughly 2-3 weeks, a simple test for Mono, Strep and the flu, all coming back negative, took an unexpected turn.
Heading to Tufts Floating Hospital in Boston that same day at the urging of his physician, we speak to the on-call Dr and the unimaginable is confirmed. Bryan speaks the hardest words any person can ever speak, “do whatever you need to do to keep me alive.” Immediately admitted to the hospital, the next 24 hours filled with medical terminology, blood tests, and questions . It is overwhelming at a time when we are still trying to process what just happened with incredible disbelief.
The very next day, he received his first round of Chemo. The hardest part is waiting to see what the next step is, how he will react to it. There are no fast answers about a topic you want to be answered right now.
Then the reality just keeps coming, you're going to be in out of the hospital for 5 to 6 months. This is a hard reality for a 17-year-old. But he is strong in appearance, answering questions, making decisions, doing all they tell him to do to beat this thing. And beat it is exactly what we are going to do!”
As a community, let’s all come together to help this extraordinary family. Donations to assist with their many out of pocket expenses will allow Bryan and Michele to completely focus on Bryan’s recovery.
Fundraising team: Strength of A Lion (3)
Chrissy Forte Finney
Organizer
Chelmsford, MA
Michele Smith
Beneficiary
Joe Luciano
Team member
