Challenge Stories

As an important piece of this campaign, we want to focus on the real reason we are all here and committed to support this cause, which is illustrated through the many stories and memories we all have of our own to inspire us. Sharing these personal stories of both hope and sorrow are what inspires us to keep this campaign one of the Society’s most successful fundraisers, raising close to 6 million dollars just last year. Thanks to the many people who support this cause, the leukemia death rate for children 0-14 years of age in the United States has declined 61 percent over the past three decades. Despite this decline, leukemia still causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under age 20, which is why we need to keep moving forward!

Along with help from Challenge Ambassadors, donations, sponsorships and monetary support, we urge you to share your own stories! If you or a loved one has been affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or other types of cancer, please click here and we will post your story and photos to be shared.

Please read the stories below about our Girl & Boy of the Year!

Andrew Thomas Hughes

In December 2004, Andrew Thomas Hughes was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). As a happy-go-lucky three year old, Andrew did not realize the severity of his illness. In fact, to him and his remarkable brother and sister, this was just going to be another "cold" or "boo-boo" that he would fight off. His parents, on the other hand, were rocked by the devastation of hearing their child had a potentially fatal disease. Sensing his "can do" attitude, Mom and Dad took a few cues from Andrew as they spent 2005 battling this dreadful illness.

Together as a family, they rode the roller coaster of hospital visits, doctor's offices, shots and injections, spinal taps and chemotherapy, hair loss and hair gain, mood swings and weight gain, sleepless nights and unspoken fears. Though it all, however, he rallied like a champ. His illness brought family and friends from afar, making Ashburn, VA a rallying point in the fight. Andrew has never used his illness as a crutch or bargaining tool. Rather, he has worked harder at remaining a normal kid with a normal life. After a brief break from school, he returned to Pre-K and finished this year.

Thankfully, Andrew is now in remission. His hair is back, blonde and boyish, his weight stabilized and for the most part he is back to his old self. He now enjoys playing street hockey with the neighborhood kids, basketball and Star Wars games along with attending kindergarten at Ashburn Elementary in Ashburn.

Andrew is truly a remarkable and tough kid and he never ever ceases to amaze or inspire those around him. Friendships have grown stronger, families have become closer, and many have realized unconditional true love. All of this, through the eyes and determination of a four year old.

Faith Froehlich

Faith was born January 29^th, 2002 in Scottsdale, AZ to Paul and Christy Froehlich. Her fraternal twin sister, Josephine Hope, followed eight minutes later. Shortly before the twins' second birthday, Faith came down with what was assumed to be a typical childhood bug. When her fever and swollen lymph nodes did not respond to antibiotics, Christy took her back to the doctors’ office. The initial blood test results from the visit were deeply troubling. Faith's white blood cells (WBC) were 71,000¬ normal is 12,000-15,000 in a child her age.

On October 9^th, 2003, the day that changed the Froehlich family's life forever, Faith was immediately taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she was admitted to the Children's Oncology Unit. After a battery of tests, Faith was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

The initial hospital stay lasted 11 days, and included an operation to install a port-a-cath (a device to assist in the withdrawal of blood and the intravenous administration of chemotherapy). By the time she was discharged the team of Oncologists, led by Dr. Dale Singer, had battled Faith's leukemia into remission. In fact, Faith was considered a "rapid responder" in that her WBC dropped dramatically after her first dose of chemotherapy.

This in no way meant that Faith was out of trouble or even close to being cured. The doctors informed the family that they are nearly always able to achieve initial remission. Faith would continue the standard protocol for her ALL diagnosis; a two-and-a-half year, multi-phase, chemotherapy program.

In April 2005 the Froehlich family relocated to Gaithersburg, MD for a job opportunity. At that point Faith transferred to the care of Dr. Nita Seibel with Children’s Hospital. There she continued her monthly treatment as part of the maintenance phase. As of February 2^nd, 2006, Faith is completely done with her chemotherapy treatment and continues to see Dr. Seibel monthly for routine follow-up appointments.

Faith has faced this ordeal with a level of courage and resilience that no one could expect from a child. Her patience and strength throughout these past years continue to amaze her doctors and family. Faith enjoys many things that kids her age do. Her favorite movies are Lion King, Jungle Book and Arthur. She loves Dora The Explorer, her heart blanket and her doll "Pink". She enjoys riding her “big girl bike” and her scooter, riding on the Metro, going on strolls with mommy, playing on the computer and playing with her sister, friends and two black labs, Kobe and Pepper.