Marcus

Age: 8
Hometown: Kenai, Alaska
Diagnosis: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)

IN THE FALL OF 2007, the Yamada family of Kenai, Alaska, was excitedly planning a trip to Disneyland. Among the many trip-planning details was monitoring the growth of Marcus who was checking in at 46 inches tall. A fine height for a 7-year-old but 2 inches shy of qualifying for Disneyland’s most fun attractions, the ones that used to be called “E ticket” rides.

In monitoring Marcus’ growth, the family noticed something disturbing. He had not grown since May. The family also started noticing other disturbing issues surrounding Marcus’ health. He was having bad headaches. Later, blood-stained freckles showed up on his chest. Then bruises on his arms and other parts of his body. In advance of a visit to an Anchorage specialist, Marcus’ mother, Charlie, asked Kenai doctors if they could do some blood work, which they did.

The next morning, Charlie got a phone call. Lab workers in Anchorage told her that she needed to bring Marcus to their city right away – and to pack for an overnight stay. Charlie and her husband Glenn drove the 175 miles to Anchorage the next day. And she’ll never forget receiving the bad news.

“The diagnosis is the worst part,” she says.

She was seeing double and her head was spinning as the doctor told her that Marcus had leukemia and likely would need a year of treatment in Seattle. “The doctor also said, ‘If you have any cracks in your marriage, you better mend them now; fix everything because this is going to test your relationship like nothing has before.’ “

After the family got a treatment plan – and Marcus began responding extremely well – the family was back on firm footing and feeling optimistic. It helped tremendously, they say, to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

“We think the House is part of Marcus’ overall treatment,” Charlie said.

She cited support from the people they met– “lifelong friends,” she called many of them. Glenn added, “The people here are walking the same path. … a nurse can only tell you so much. But the parents here going through the same thing can really tell you what’s going on and what to expect.”

Marcus’ brother Mason, 11, didn’t take long to answer when asked what has stood out most about the House. “The community,” he said. He talked about the friends he has made, playing basketball, sharing meals and the many supportive volunteers.

After a grueling month of treatments in the hospital, nobody in the family was sure about what to expect. Marcus wasn’t his same cheerful self, energetic. It was hard on everyone. But eventually, after nine months of treatment, Marcus returned home and was well on the road to recovery.

The Yamadas say they are grateful in more ways they can express. The House will always be remembered, says Mason, “as the place where I got my brother back.”