Anna Rebecca VanSickle was born on August 14, 2002. When Anna was two months old, she was diagnosed with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH), a very rare, life-threatening immune-deficiency disease. In early 2003, Anna received chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in an attempt to save her life. Sadly, Anna lost her fight on March 4, 2003, at the age of 6 1/2 months.
Anna's parents, Nate and Karin, continue to support the research and development of new treatment plans for FHLH by raising funds to benefit the Histiocytosis Association.
As Anna's family, it is our hope that through Anna's memory we can raise money for further research on FHLH. Years ago, children who were diagnosed with this disease died within months with no known treatment for the disease. Today, there is a protocol that includes chemotherapy, steroids, and a bone marrow transplant, which has proven successful, bringing the survival rate up considerably. FHLH is still devastating, but with more research, doctors will have more treatment plans, parents will have more options, and the children will have a better chance.
- Nate and Karin VanSickle
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