9/2/2020
Patrick Ferraro is one of the twenty-three participants signed up on the Riggs Distler Team for the St. Jude Walk/Run with the goal of fundraising to help cure childhood cancer. Patrick is a Document Control Analyst for our Mechanical Group, out of the Maryland office. 2020 is Patrick’s first year on the team and he’s one of the most successful fundraisers so far. We asked him if he wouldn’t mind sharing a little bit about his connection to St. Jude for RDC folks to learn about why he chooses to participate and support St. Jude. Patrick shared that his best friend’s four month old son Blake was diagnosed w/Infant PRE-B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in October of 2016.
This is the story of our “WARRIOR” Blake, who at 4 months old was diagnosed with Infant pre-b acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). (Written by Patrick’s best friend’s wife’s sister)
On October 17, 2016 our world changed forever when my sister Diana took her son Blake to the pediatrician with a fever, expecting news of a cold or a virus, but when they found no visible infection they were sent to the emergency room for further evaluation. What came next was what no parent is ever prepared to hear….. “your child has leukemia”. They were immediately transferred to a hospital with a top notch pediatric oncology unit and a plan was put into place. Blake started his first round of chemotherapy quickly. It was a long 7 weeks that included a complex chemotherapy regimen and the need for multiple blood transfusions, trips to the operating room for spinal taps, high dose steroids, foot pricks to check blood sugars, weight loss/weight gain struggles, battles with nausea and appetite loss, around the clock vital checks and the list goes on…. pure heartbreak to watch as our innocent baby boy puts on a happy face every chance he can get. My sister’s new home was now a hospital room with her baby, leaving her husband Ray and their 4 year old son at home so she could begin the fight for their baby’s life.
A break and little good news after the first round, Blake is in remission! Doctors couldn’t even believe it due to the severity of his disease. Taking every piece of good news we get and running with it! Round 2 of chemotherapy started in early December and the side effects set in faster this time; finally the hair loss hits, nausea and vomiting is amplified, worsening rashes all over….Ugh. Our little man with a diaper rash I’m not sure I could handle but he does…..warrior. He’s our hero. We need him, we need him to do this and he is showing us he can. Brave. Strong. We are waging war together on this terrible disease!
Unfortunately on Sept 6,2017 we had to say goodbye to our warrior. Blake will always be watching over us as our little angel, he was the bravest,strongest,happiest boy through it all.
He taught us all how to love more and live the best way we know how. He will be sadly missed.
Patrick said this was one of the main reasons he started donating to and raising money for St. Jude. He shared that his best friend and his wife did everything in their power to save their son’s life. “It’s a heart wrenching story and something I couldn’t imagine having to deal with as a parent. Please remember to hug your kids, and just say “I love you”. Life is too short and unpredictable.”
St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything – and since its doors opened, survival rates for patients went from 20-80%. They continue their mission to Finding Cures. Saving Children.
