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Boy & Girl of the Year
Greater Sacramento's Boy & Girl of the Year
The Boy & Girl of the Year are local children battling blood cancers who serve as motivation and inspiration to Man & Woman of the Year candidates in their competition to raise funds and win the titles.
Boy of the Year
ElijahLeatherby
2010 Boy of the Year, Elijah, is a bright eyed, spirited 6 year old. He loves to play soccer and baseball. Like any other 6 year old, Elijah can often be found playing with his leogs and super hero action figures or coloring. Elijah?s life outside of his lego, sports, and super heroes is anything but ordinary.
Elijah was diagnosed with Hodgkin?s Lymphoma on July 22, 2009, just 3 weeks after his 6th birthday. At his time of diagnosis, Elijah was considered stage 3. Elijah underwent six months of intensive chemotherapy, during which time was not be allowed to attend school. Currently Elijah?s days are full of chemotherapy, steroid injections, and countless other medications.
While Elijah is busy playing with his super heroes, he is a super hero to his family. They are reminded everyday how precious life is, and have learned not to take things for granted. Elijah?s prognosis is good, with a 90% chance of recovery.
Girl of the Year
EricaLivesey
2010 Girl of the Year, Erica, was diagnosed with Leukemia in December 2006, when she was just 4 months old. At the time Erica?s parents, Bob and Megan, were given the diagnosis they were told this was going to be an uphill battle, to prepare for war, and the odds were not in their favor. Erica?s long road of treatment began that day.
Erica?s treatment was progressing, and she entered into remission. On a very dark day mid October 2007, Erica?s parents were given the news they feared the most since her initial diagnosis- relapse. ?Every once in awhile I would imagine getting the news that ?it? was back and I would immediately feel a punch in my gut. When it actually happened, it wasn?t so much a punch in the gut; it was like being wrung out like a wet towel . . . but really slowly. It ached, with every twist I had less energy and less hope and less faith. The month of October, 2007 was the darkest month of my life? recalls Erica?s mom, Megan.
After much anticipation, Erica received a Bone Marrow Transplant on January 23, 2008. Today, almost 2 years from her bone marrow transplant, Erica is cancer free. Even though Erica remains on daily medications and is given a growth hormone injection nightly, she is enjoying the things a 3 year old should. Erica is a joy to be around, she literally lights up the room. There is a ?knowing? about her that can not be described, but it says ?I am a SURVIVOR?.
