Bryan Cruz, 14, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Lynn, with Marta (mom), Jose (dad), Catelyn (sister, 11) and Catherine Glennon, Program Coordinator, Patient and Family Resources, Dana-Farber
Bryan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in April 2022. He was
complaining about back pain and his skin was pale. He also suffered from chronic nose bleeds. His parents took him to the emergency room when he was having bad pain. Blood work and x-rays came back clean, but he was sent to Children's Hospital for further evaluation. MRI and further blood work revealed that he had leukemia. His treatment includes chemotherapy and he is slated to be done with active treatment in
May 2024.
ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer. It most often occurs in children ages 3 to 5 and affects slightly more boys than girls. About 3,000 people younger than age 20 are found to have ALL each year in the United States.
Catherine is the program coordinator of patient and family resources at Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic.