Jennifer Donnelly is the mother of Matthew, an acute lymphocytic leukemia patient who's story is featured in the Gap Give & Get Campaign. Gap Give & Get gives you a 30% off coupon to shop at all Gap, Inc. store, with 5% of the proceeds going to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Jennifer shared her story with LLS:
How did you find out that Matthew had leukemia?
Matthew was diagnosed on December 11th, 2007, when he was two and a half years old. He hadn't been feeling well and our regular doctor thought he had a double ear infection. In fact he did have a double ear infection, but thankfully our doctor also had blood work done on Matthew, which ultimately determined that he had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It was devastating at the time, but in hindsight we were glad he was diagnosed early on.
Before Matthew's diagnosis, had you ever heard of leukemia?
To be honest, no -- but I learned very quickly. I also found a huge support group of people out there who are willing to help.
How has LLS been helpful to you and Matthew?
We participate in LLS's Co-Pay Assistance Program and have also participated in The Light The Night Walk twice. Matthew was also recently named the 'Boy of the Year' for the local LLS chapter here on Long Island.
Your son has an amazing smile. He looks like he has a very positive outlook.
He does! When he was first diagnosed, going to see the doctors so often was difficult and I would try a number of things to make it a positive experience - like dressing up in costumes. Well now, Matthew actually looks forward to going! Once when we were on vacation in Disneyland, he surprised me with "Lets go to the clinic, Mom!" There we were, in the "happiest place on earth" and he wants to go to the clinic!
How is Matthew doing now?
Matthew's doing very well. He's in the second year of his treatment, which will continue through 2011. We are participating in a trial.
A clinical trial?
Yes, again, before Matthew had been diagnosed, I didn't realize how important clinical trials could be to treatment options. I found out as much as I could in advance, especially about the protocol that was suggested for Matthew. Now, I think of all of the people who participated in trials before us and I'm grateful. If they hadn't, I wonder where we'd be now. Thanks to previous trials and the people who participated in them, treatments have improved.
Have you participated in any previous Give & Get campaign?
We participated in both the spring and summer campaigns. A coupon was forwarded to me via email. The 30% discount is terrific and knowing 5% of the sale goes back to LLS - even better!
Now, when I know of a business, like Gap, that gives back to LLS -- I think, "They're doing this for research, they're doing this for cures, and they're doing this for my son." It makes me want to cry because I know the true benefit of this kind of support.
Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your story with us and allowing us to feature Matthew in this campaign.
