Honored Heroes

GRACE

In the summer of 2021, David and Heather Gentile grew concerned over their two-year old daughter Grace’s health. Multiple infections and uncharacteristically low energy led to various pediatrician appointments, a visit to the local ER, and a transfer to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital where doctors diagnosed B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Months of grueling treatments followed, including intensive chemotherapy, but by May 2022, Grace was placed on a maintenance regimen. That same month, the Gentile family participated in Big Climb Philadelphia, as part of the corporate team formed by David’s employer, Admiral Insurance—raising $13,740 for LLS’ mission. Despite “bumps in the road,” David relayed that Grace, now in preschool, “continues to thrive, plays tots soccer, and has hopes of being a mermaid doctor when she grows up.”

 

CHRIS

In September of 2019 I was living a largely normal life.  We had recently purchased our new dream home, my wife, Abby, and I were raising our two children, Ayla & Remy, 5 and 3 at the time and I had recently started a new position at my company.  Then I fell ill with daily chronic fevers rising to as high as 106 degrees.  After several months of testing, biopsies, and surgeries I was ultimately diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in November of 2019.  The world caved in on us at that point.  After taking a breather and finding the right oncologist for us, we were ready to get started on treatment.  From November through March, I would undergo 6 cycles of D-EPOCH treatment which would require a 5-day inpatient hospital stays every three weeks.  Treatment took a significant toll both physically and mentally.  I fortunately had an immense amount of support from my friends, family and community during that time and consider myself one of the luckiest individuals around.  After my 2^nd cycle, I completed a PET scan and found out I was in remission.  It was a day of celebrations…even with the prospect of an impending pandemic coming down the road.  I wrapped up treatment in March of 2020, about 1 week before we went into lockdown.  The first year following treatment was more difficult than the diagnosis and treatment itself.  I would not let these new challenges keep me down as going through this journey gives one a new perspective on life.  LLS provided a platform of support and a place for me to focus my positive energy during that first challenging year.  Almost 3 years later I am still in remission with my eyes set on the 5-year mark, so I can get to the NED (No Evidence Disease) milestone.