I was 2 years old when I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Aplastic Anemia.  It was years later, while searching for a bone marrow donor, that we learned it was Fanconi’s Anemia, an inherited blood disease.  This disease affects the bone marrow and doesn’t produce the red cells, white cells and platelets needed to survive.

Until the age of 10, I was able to keep up with everyone and do all the things little girls do.  Sometimes my mom and dad wondered where I got all the energy. 

The disease then began to take over my life and required many doctor visits, tests, hospitalizations, blood and platelet transfusions.

I never gave up fighting or hoping they would find a cure to make me better and able to live a normal life.  My mom, dad and Tim did so much to help me.  Tim even donated platelets for me and I was so proud of him because it wasn’t an easy thing to do. 

Even though I was only here for 14 years, I know I lived life to the fullest.  I was blessed to have a wonderful family and many good friends.  The nurses I had were so kind and helped me through many tough times.  My doctors  were the best, and I hope by taking care of me they were able to learn more about this terrible disease.