In October of 2001, I received the worst news a child could ever hear. I was told that I wouldn't be able to see my mother for a very long time because she was sick. While the word "leukemia" didn't mean much to me at the time, I knew that something was very wrong. A year went by in which I didn't have my mom to chaperone field trips or watch me play tennis. I didn't understand why all of my friends could be with their mother, but I wasn't allowed to. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Gift of Life, a life-saving match was found in a stranger, who is now a part of my family. This picture was taken before my mom's bone marrow transplant.

Everything I am doing is dedicated to my mother, who is my best friend and my rock. She proved to me that no matter what the odds are, you can always win if you stay positive. I hope that no one will ever have to lose a loved one to blood cancer.