Presenting Alex Marinelli

In June of 2006, Alex who was 12 years old had just completed 6th grade, field day activities and acting in a local theater production of Aladdin, so he was understandably tired and sore. The pediatrician found no problems except a low grade fever and hip pain. My husband Paul, a radiologist, had lost his sister, Mary Jean to leukemia when he was only 5, so we never even used the word 'leukemia' in our house. After watching Alex for a week, Paul took him to the hospital for a blood test. I picked up the results and met them at the pediatrician's office. Alex was in an exam room, the doctor was on the phone and Paul was in the hallway, speechless. I asked Paul what the blood test results meant, and I asked what was going on. Paul just shook his head, unable to talk. I asked, "It's not the 'L' word is it?" He nodded yes, and with that our nightmare began.

We immediately rushed down to Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. where the staff drew more blood and confirmed the diagnosis of leukemia. The hospital became our home for the next 2 weeks while Alex endured blood draws, IV's, a bone marrow biopsy, nausea, vomiting and other effects from the leukemia and from the medicines that were trying to reduce his white blood cell count. Paul and I took turns running back and forth between the hospital with Alex and Hagerstown to be with our other 2 sons. Paul did not want the words 'leukemia' or 'cancer' spoken in front of Alex until we knew what we were dealing with. Alex is one of only 2% of children who get Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia or CML. Chronic means forever or until there is a cure. Gleevec is a miraculous chemotherapy which has kept Alex's leukemia under control for the last 3 years. Alex takes his pills every night and has his blood tested every 6 months. He is still tired but he lives a normal life as a sophomore at St. Maria Goretti High School. He has a bright and empathetic spirit, a good eye for photography and a good hand as an artist. Alex is interested science, especially marine life and astronomy. He also has a very quick sense of humor.