How Versiti is helping children with high-risk leukemia

Many investigators at Versiti Blood Research Institute (BRI) focus their work in one of two ways: either in a laboratory or clinical setting. But Associate Investigator Sid Rao, MD, PhD, is one of a few unique researchers who conducts work in both areas—he has a lab at the BRI and he is a practicing pediatric bone marrow transplant physician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Read more below.

Also, look out for an event with Versiti including a free tour of the blood center and a Q&A with the researchers there!

Mackenzie Update

Courtney gave an update on Mackenzie after devastating news that Mackenzie has relapsed:

We have chosen to do a trial with the goal of prolonging life while also maintaining quality. Tomorrow she will be having surgery to place an ommaya reservoir in her head that delivers chemo directly into the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid), as well as having her port placed back in her chest for chemo to be delivered this way. In addition, she will begin having daily chemo orally. The goal is to basically keep chemo drugs in Mackenzie 24/7 to fight the disease and stop further spreading at this time.

Our girl is by far the kindest, bravest soul we will ever have the privilege of knowing. She handles everything with grace and strength. May she be blessed in this next season of life with so much love.

We are collecting fleece for blankets! Please contact us for pick up or you can drop off at Hoover Elementary's office. The girl scouts will be working with My Friend Linkin to get blankets made for Children's Hospital. 

Book Updates

"My Friend Jordan" is almost complete! We can't wait to share them with family and friends. "My Friend Daxton" is still being written and you can reserve your copy at the shop.

For those that order books, if you order a book that isn't completed yet with others that are completed, we usually wait until we can ship out all of them together. If you would like the other two sooner, please contact us so we can send them out!