Gianna, is a smart and beautiful 7-year-old who enjoys arts, music, and playing outside.
In March of 2022, when Gianna was just four years old, her family received the devastating news that she was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, leading to the rapid production of immature white blood cells. For a young child like Gianna, the diagnosis was a harrowing journey that would test her resilience and the strength of her family.
While the initial phases of Gianna’s journey were challenging, there was a beacon of hope when Gianna reached the maintenance phase of her treatment and was officially declared in remission. However, things took an unfortunate turn when Gianna’s family learned that she had relapsed in October 2023, just eight months before Gianna’s anticipated end-of-treatment bell ceremony. Despite all that was to come for a second time, Gianna’s family remained hopeful and optimistic, encouraging Gianna to continue her fight.
Beginning a new round of treatment, Gianna’s care plan was adjusted to include multiple heavy doses of chemotherapy in an attempt to bring her back into remission. Despite these efforts, Gianna’s cancer persisted, and the next steps were to try immunotherapy, a groundbreaking approach that harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. When immunotherapy didn’t fully achieve remission as Gianna’s family and medical team had hoped for, the treatment plan escalated to CAR-T cell therapy, an intense treatment that involves modifying a patient’s T-cells (a type of immune cell) to better recognize and attack cancer cells. Thankfully, after undergoing CAR-T cell therapy, Gianna went back into remission, however, her fight was not over.
Although Gianna had once again reached remission, her doctors highly recommended moving forward with a bone marrow transplant (BMT) in hopes of preventing a future relapse. Fortunately, Gianna’s sister was a match and on May 10, 2024, she underwent her bone marrow transplant with her sister Olivia as the donor. The decision to use Olivia’s marrow was a profound one, as it not only provided long-term hope for Gianna but also symbolized the incredible bond between siblings.
Very recently, Gianna’s family was informed that she has relapsed for the 2nd time. As her family prepares to support her through intense treatment once again, Gianna’s journey encompasses the true meaning of strength, resiliency, and family. While the future holds its uncertainties, hope and determination continue to carry Gianna and her family as they prepare for the next steps of her journey. Through it all, our team at Keaton’s has been honored to come alongside Gianna and her family, offering emotional and financial support, as they navigate their journey. Our mission is to continue sharing our love and support with sweet kiddos like Gianna, her sister Olivia, and their loving parents, knowing that no family should have to fight this journey alone.
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