On September 11, 2004 Jake Franchi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).  He was 3 ½ years old.   Jake had always been a happy and healthy baby, so his diagnosis came as a complete shock to his family.   How could he have cancer?  Would he survive?  It was an incredibly terrifying time for them and they wondered if anything would be the same ever again.

Paula and Christopher quickly learned that the road ahead would not be an easy one.  Jake would require 3 plus years of daily chemotherapy.  It was a complete rollercoaster ride from one day to the next.  The side effects from the drugs were horrendous and often times Jake would require daily trips to the hospital, especially during that first year of treatment. 

Thankfully because of the advancements in medical research over the past four decades in the treatment of ALL, the overall prognosis has improved significantly from a zero to 20-75 percent survival rate.  His doctors and nurses have played such a vital role in his care and without them and the efforts made by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society his chances for survival may not be as promising as they are.

On November 30, 2007 Jake officially completed treatment.  Although his parents were relieved by this, the fear of relapse still lingers.  Jake is currently in remission, but will not be considered cured until November 30, 2012, exactly 5 years from the day of his last treatment.

Today, Jake is a thriving, happy 9 year old.  His family feels extremely blessed and is inspired by him every single day.