Hope for Kyra

After two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy for her diagnosis of Early B Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Kyra was declared to be in remission with a 90% chance of no recurring cancer.

The family decided to move to North Carolina to be closer to family. A move that would prove a stroke of fate.

At the age of five, Kyra complained of a sore ankle. Several doctor's visits later, the family was sitting in front of an orthopedic oncologist at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center. An MRI report stated that there appeared to be Osseous Involvement of Lymphoma in the left foot and tibia. A series of diagnostic tests that followed would reveal the unthinkable-the cancer had returned and it was throughout her body, including her bone marrow. Not only that, but the biopsy on Kyra's cancer cells showed a mixed leukemia lineage (MLL) mutation. After careful and thoughtful collaboration among the doctors at Duke Children's it was determined that intensive chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately a bone marrow transplant were Kyra's only chance for survival. When lymphoblastic disease returns, especially in Kyra's case where it was in a number of locations, it is safest to do a transplant to be sure to eradicate all the cancerous cells.

Thanks to the extraordinary teamwork of the oncology and bone marrow transplant groups, as well as Kyra's tremendous courage and tenacity, Kyra celebrated her 100th day post-transplant in June. Her test results continue to show the best possible results from the transplant with a high percent of donor cells in her body. Her next big milestone will be one year post-transplant, but her biggest hurdle has been cleared with her determination, her family's love and support and expert medical care from Duke Children's.