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Boy & Girl of the Year
Southern Florida Chapter 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 Dominic Clay, Leukemia Survivor
On August 22, 2007, shortly after his 3rd birthday, Dominic was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Surgery was scheduled the following day to place the central line medi-port in his chest which would allow the doctors to administer IV fluids and chemo directly to his main artery. The very next day Dominic began his 3-1/2 year chemotherapy treatment. The first 7 months of treatment were very tough on him. He received daily does of oral chemo, weekly lumbar punctures (similar to a spinal tap) to administer chemo, along with various cycles of steroids. After the first 7 intense months, Dominic shifted into the maintenance phase of treatment. While the maintenance portion of his treatment was somewhat less intense, it was still very aggressive and he still had some very nasty side effects. There were plenty of overnight trips to the emergency room at Miami Children?s Hospital throughout his treatment.
During this entire challenge, Dominic has shown all of his strength and resiliency in dealing with leukemia. He continues to inspire his family, friends, and supporters by always maintaining a positive attitude and letting everyone know what it truly means to be a Survivor. His team of doctors, nurses, and specialists are amazed at his energy and enthusiasm during his visits and his genuine care and concern for everyone at Miami Children?s Hospital.
In November 2010, Dominic finally reached his finish line with chemotherapy. He officially switched from being a cancer patient to a cancer survivor! By the time he had finished, he had spent over half his young life receiving daily chemotherapy. Today, by all outward appearances, Dominic is a normal seven year old boy. He just started 2nd grade and plays on the local football, soccer, and baseball teams. He loves hanging out with his friends, watching Star Wars movies with his sisters, and playing outdoors.
Dominic?s chances of surviving cancer are better today because of what has been accomplished at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Domicic?s family hopes, with continued support of the LLS, that kids in the future who receive this unfortunate diagnosis have an even better chance at beating cancer!
Girl of the Year Girl of the Year: KD , Leukemia Survivor
Kiarrah-Dashe? Brown was born on December 22, 2006. She has always been an extremely happy child. KD was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on May 19th 2011 when she was only 4 years old. The first signs were continuous fevers and exhaustion, KD just wasn?t herself. After a visit to the ER and a follow up visit to the pediatrician they could not find anything out of the ordinary but they still ran as many blood tests as possible. Later that evening her pediatrician called and said she needed to go to the ER immediately. Upon arrival more tests were run and that night it was confirmed KD had leukemia. Finding out KD diagnosis was probably the worst part described KD?s Mother.
The next four weeks consisted of hospital stays and weekly doctor visits which weren?t a walk in the park but to her family it was a small price to pay. The doctors and nurses at Holtz Children?s Hospital were the absolute best, being supportive through every step. They made this experience bearable by making sure KD was treated like a normal child because she just had ?bugs in her blood?.
KD was back to her old self in just 3 weeks. She was back to talking a mile a minute and acting like she had ants in her pants. Throughout this entire life changing event her family just kept saying it could be worse. KD made having cancer look easy. She is this amazing strong little girl that has taught many to always stay positive because ?they will get rid of the bad bugs?.
