Hans is on ABT-751!

All of our prayers came through for Hans today! His ALT (sorry, last time I posted I said it was his AST we were waiting on) was 133! Even though it was 8 points above '5 times normal', Dr. Russell called it good and gave us the go-ahead to start. I'm very happy about this. But then, I really had put all my eggs in this basket, so I can't imagine waiting the weekend with a no-go. So now, all we have to do is hope and dream and pray that the ABT 751 will go down easy for Hans, and that it will keep his NB away! I know I'm not asking for much here, huh? Apparently, he can go on this drug for up to 3 years. We will scan again (in Philly) in about 6 weeks to see if we get the thumbs up to keep it up.

Here is a picture with Elle and Hans and all of the CASES of cookies she sold for the Ronald McDonald House! Thank you very much to all of our sweet buyers. There are even more boxes from her troop, too! Elle sold a personal record of 422 boxes this year, with 164 of them going to the RMH Houston - Thanks!

I have been wanting to post a couple of other research-related things. Did I ever tell you that I found out that the CNCF at least partially funded the Phase I Trial that Hans went on up in Philly that put him back into NED status! It just gives me chills to know that you and I have saved this boy with every ornament we put up on his giving tree, every lanyard and baked good we've beaded, baked or bought, we've helped fund important research. It's huge. If you feel moved to do so, you can go back out to www.lunchforlife.org to celebrate by putting another ornament on Hans' tree. Or, better yet, you can put up a few! Put one up for Erin Buegner who has been battling NB since age 5 and now she's in middle school beading lanyards and authoring cookbooks for the cure! Visit her site at http://erinbuenger.blogspot.com/ she's one of my favorite girls in the world. Or, you can put up an ornament on my bud, little Michael Bazargani's http://www.michaelbazargani.blogspot.com/ giving tree - he just learned today that he will go ahead and have surgery next week to remove some residual tumor after 8 rounds of chemotherapy! Don't forget our friend, Colby Ash, who is still stable after relapsing almost 3 years ago! Or, Alex Black who just moved into Long Term Survivor Status! Just a few ideas... there are so many children to adore all over the country and world who are battling this disease, or who have already finished the fight.

I'll post more later with news of the Earth Day Bake Sale, the next NB Garage Sale, and the Amazing Grace Golf Tournament. There are so many ways to help fund the cure. We are continually humbled by your ongoing support.

Have a good weekend! Lara