Local moms mission to bring awareness to blood cancer

Hello my name is Nicole Starace and I am Ryan's mom. A year ago at this time I didn’t have a mission. I didn’t have a child with leukemia and I wasn’t forced to leave my child’s life in the hands of science But, on February 28, 2017 our world was turned upside down and our family as we knew it would never be the same. Ryan who was 4 years old at the time was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, ALL. As you can imagine we were beside ourselves and in a state of shock. Ryan immediately started treatment and has been through too much for a now 5 year old. He’s had a lymph node biopsy, medi port placed, 13 spinal taps, bone marrow aspiration, kidney failure, catheters, dialysis, blood transfusions, 11 months of chemo with another 2 and a half years to go plus tons of medications at home.

Ryan has been a true warrior and fighter from day one. He has strength and resilience beyond his years. As of today Ryan is in remission and in the maintenance portion of his therapy. We have a long road ahead of us, but we will continue to fight every day for Ryan and all the other warriors fighting cancer.

We formed Team Ryan in 2017 to honor our fighter and raise awareness for blood cancer. We came together with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help in this fight. Our mission is to bring awareness and raise funds for much needed research, new treatments, and hopefully a cure! In 2017 Team Ryan raised over $7,000 toward this mission. To say I am proud of my team is an understatement. Ryan continues to fight every day, so Team Ryan will continue to fight alongside him.

Which is why I decided to run for LLS’ title Woman of the Year, a 10-week challenge where we will try to raise as much money as we can for a very important cause so patients can live better, longer lives. The campaign runs 3/22 through 5/31 and our goal as a Team Ryan will be $25,000. I am excited and ready to keep raising awareness and funds on a larger scale because no matter who wins, cancer loses. I am forever dedicated to this mission. And my family is forever dedicated to this mission. On behalf of Ryan our Survivor and fighter, I want to thank you all for being dedicated to this cause.

With the commitment and support from all of you I know we can hit our goal with no problem. Please visit http://pages.mwoy.org/li/li18/nstarace to donate or send your credit card or check donation to the address below.

All donations must be received by 5/31/18.

Checks made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can be mailed to:
LLS Long Island
3 Huntington Quadrangle, 2nd FL, Suite 202S,
Melville, NY 11747
*Please write Nicole Starace in the memo of the check