Novel treatments need to be continually developed to help kids who relapse with dangerous forms of cancer.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) – Chloe’s Story
It’s leukemia.
World champion is a far cry from her life at age 4. Chloe was losing her spark and started becoming severely lethargic. She was continually fighting high fevers and had dark circles under her eyes. Her parents knew something was wrong, but were shocked when they found out exactly how wrong. After being referred to a specialist by her pediatrician, Chloe was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in November of 2000. And, to make matters worse, her ALL was complicated by a chromosomal abnormality. Chloe immediately started chemotherapy at a local children’s hospital and underwent treatment from November 2000 through February 2003. It was a tough time for Chloe, but her competitive spirit and love of horses helped her pull through the treatment.
The best trophy ever.
Chloe’s disease tried to get the best of her. Chloe, however, does not like to lose. When she was ready to receive another series of treatments, some of which would be very painful, Chloe’s nurse offered to reward her with a trophy if she could be brave throughout the procedures. She knew Chloe wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge like that. “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever worked towards,” Chloe said. That trophy kept her going. In fact, it strengthened and motivated her so much that when Chloe completed treatment, she decided to help other children the way that nurse had helped her. Chloe designed a “bravery” trophy to help other kids endure the same challenges she did. She even dedicated $2,000—proceeds from a fundraiser rodeo intended for her benefit—to buy hundreds of trophies for other children.
Unfortunately, cancer wasn’t done with Chloe yet.
At a barrel racing competition in August 2003, Chloe started to feel sick again. She had flu-like symptoms and could barely climb onto her horse. She felt dizzy and vomited, but she didn’t quit. In fact, when her mom suggested they skip the competition, Chloe replied, “Mom, I’ve done a lot harder things than this. I came to race, and I want my points.” After the competition, they went to the hospital and discovered that Chloe had relapsed. Chloe, once again, had to fight for her life. She received radiation treatments in September and November of 2003. While she was undergoing treatment, Chloe’s family heard about groundbreaking work performed at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center with support of Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Chloe was referred to the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview, and placed in the care of Dr. Margaret MacMillan. She received an umbilical cord blood transplant, a radical treatment being pioneered at the Cancer Center, and spent 67 days in the hospital recovering. In order to continue its pioneering efforts, the Cancer Center’s Stem Cell Biology Program relies on assistance from Children’s Cancer Research Fund. This support allows researchers to expand their umbilical cord blood studies and to continue further development of novel approaches for treating pediatric cancer patients like Chloe.
Cancer isn’t a death sentence. It’s a life sentence.
Throughout their time in the hospital, the Fruth family’s approach to cancer was, “We’re going to live life to the fullest, because you never know where you’ll be tomorrow.” So they made sure that the days Chloe spent recovering from her transplant were as much fun as possible. Children’s Cancer Research Fund helped by providing a Care Partners Care Bag designed to make their hospital stay and treatment more bearable. It was one of the things that helped Chloe and her family keep their spirits up. The package included craft supplies that Chloe used to paint a huge yellow smiley face on her window that she could look at whenever she felt down. She even decorated her room with disco and pink flamingo lights and put up an ElvElvis dress-up doll that the doctors and nurses would re-dress each time they visited. Throughout her ordeal, she did everything she could to stay positive and make sure cancer didn’t get the best of her.
Through it all, a love of horses kept her going.
Every year, there are far too many children and their families who, like Chloe and her family, are forced to face cancer. Every story is heart-wrenching, and each one is the story of a child fighting for a chance to be a child again. In Chloe’s case, she was hospitalized roughly 35 times for a total of approximately 125 days during three-and-a-half years of treatment. But she was motivated to rise above the pain and mental anguish of cancer treatment because she always had hope for tomorrow, for another barrel race and for a day when she would be cancer-free. This drive, along with the support of Children’s Cancer Research Fund and the incredible researchers and doctors at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, helped Chloe become the healthy, happy 11-year-old she is today. For most, that would be enough, but Chloe kept going and went on to defeat competitors nearly twice her age to become the 2006 American Quarter Horse Youth Association world champion in barrel racing. Thanks to the volunteers and donors of Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Chloe is an inspiration to us all. Ride on, Chloe, ride on.
