Syndey Davies, a 12 year old girl from Auburn Middle School, was diagnosed with Leukemia on July 17, 2011. She has AML Leukemia (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) an adult form, which fewer than ten percent of children can get.
AML Leukemia is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow creates multiples of unformed cells. These cells would usually develop into white blood cells to fight infection. In AML, the cells do not develop and can’t fight infections. The bone marrow also develops abnormal red blood cells (Leukemia cells) and platelets which grow quickly. They crowd out the normal red and white blood cells and platelets which the body needs to function properly and fight off infection.
In order to survive this form of cancer, Davies needs a bone marrow transplant, the total cost of which is not yet known to the family.
Her older brother Tyler Davies, a sophomore at Kettle Run, proudly said that, “Only 8 percent of donations go to children’s cancer research, so Sydney wanted to start up a foundation to help raise money for children’s cancer research.”
She wants to see more money go toward researching and finding a cure for children’s cancer, and her mother, Jennifer Davies, stated that “she has raised over two thousand dollars so far with the help of wristband sales, fund raisers at Auburn Middle and P.B. Smith Elementary Schools, and Chick-fil-A.”
Sydney has her own fundraising page at www.childrenscancer.org.
Sydney has a team of friends and family helping her with the effort, and there have been multiple fundraising nights at the local Chick-fil-A in Warrenton. However, the main fundraising event is a 5K walk, “Sydney’s Angels Walk for Awareness,” on Sunday September 16, 2012, the day before her 13th birthday. It will be a family festival as well, with crafts for kids to do for the children at the hospital.
Mrs. Davies would like people to be aware that “all of the money will go towards children’s cancer research, and will significantly add to Sydney’s dream of making a difference for the cause.”
Sydney will be moved to John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland to get the bone marrow transplant, most likely in December before Christmas. Her stay is expected to last 3-4 months, and could make all the difference in her current condition. Her family would like to get the word out of the fundraiser, and to raise awareness for Children’s Leukemia and Sydney.