Natalie — 2006

Inspired by Natalie and the many young courageous children who undergo intense treatment, Natalie’s family and friends created the Friends for Life Guild to benefit Children’s Hospital Childhood Cancer Research.  Together, we will help find a cure and make a difference in the lives of young people confronted with cancer.

Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia when she was 6 years old.  She spent many months in the hospital undergoing treatment and achieved remission.  About 18 months later, she relapsed and had to return to Seattle Children’s Hospital for treatment and a bone marrow transplant.  When she first arrived at the hospital a favorite nurse was so happy to see her, and then her face just sank.  She realized she had relapsed.  Natalie spent her 4^th grade year in treatment and home schooling to ensure she was protected from viruses.  After a tough recovery, Natalie returned to normal life and became very involved in school, sports, and drama through middle school and high school!

Natalie returned to normal life and became very involved in school, sports, and drama through middle school and high school! She is in college now and doing very well.

Like all children that were diagnosed with childhood cancer, she has amazing strength. She maintains a great attitude as she still wrestles with the reality of childhood cancer, and the ongoing side-effects.

When Natalie was in the first grade, her favorite color was Apple Green.  She selected her fun color for our first Friends for Life Ornament.  The designers took the color and created a lovely green swirled ornament.

Update July 2020: Natalie is a Senior at Georgetown University with plans to become a doctor and help find a cure for cancer. Whatever she does with her life, she will do it with amazing dedication.