In early February of this year, Alby was diagnosed with a type of leukemia called ALL-T cell, not long after his 6th birthday. This diagnosis is rare, especially in children Alby’s age.
When Alby arrived at Vanderbilt Children’s hospital, he was found to have a massive inoperable tumor that was pressing on his heart and lungs causing fluid to build up in his lungs and making it difficult for him to breathe. The doctors advised his parents that immediate chemo was needed in order to relieve the pressure on Alby’s organs. He ultimately had to have a chest tube and feeding tube placed in addition to having chemo initiated.The good news is that the chemo did its job and the tumor has shrunk. After spending more than 2 weeks in the hospital, Alby and his family were able to go home. His battle is far from over, however. Alby faces 3 and a half years of treatment for this disease. In addition he is battling the terrible side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting. It has been difficult to control these symptoms and little Alby has lost so much weight that a feeding tube had to be reinserted.
What does this have to do with us, you ask? Alby’s family desperately wants a second opinion from St. Jude’s. Due to a recent change in operating procedure, their request for a second opinion has been denied.
If it were my child I would want the same chance Alby’s family wants for him. St. Jude’s cure rate for this disease is nearly 15% higher than Vanderbilt’s. I know that if my family ever faced this unimaginable situation I would move heaven and earth to get the best care possible. Will you please join me in petitioning St. Jude on behalf of this family? For Alby?Updates
March 14, 2014
I honestly never imagined that a hundred people would care this much about Alby. This entire response belongs to you and I am just humbled to be part of what you have started.
Reached 500 supporters
March 13, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
March 12, 2014
288 Comments
Dr St Jude.... I understand that rules are rules.... however, doing the right thing is more important than following the right RULE. You need to accept Alby Gaby as a patient immediately because its the right thing to do. Furthermore.... you need to reevaluate your policy on second opinion treatement.
Please allow this little boy a 2nd opinion from St Jude's. I have a 9 yr old son & would do anything and everything I could for him. I support St Jude's and give every week out of my check to help children like these. Please help.
I completely understand the policy but had this family know this or had any option but to start treament they would have chosen St Jude. I donate each week to this hospital because I believe EVERY child deserves a chance. Please help Alby and his fight against this horrible disease!
A second opinion is so important! For my child, it was the difference between one doc suggesting an abortion for a baby that was "very unlikely to live" and another doc saying, "It's too early to tell." It turns out, the second opinion was the accurate one. Please give this child a second opinion.
PLEASE HELP THIS LITTLE BOY, I've been a donor since 1999. My wife and father also work @ Averitt and are donors as well. My mother was a patient at St Jude in the late 50's/early 60s. I also have a cousin who is a nurse practioner there @ St Jude now (Amy Kimble)
If this were my son I definitely would want second opinion. This little boy has been thru hell and back and it's not over yet. He deserves anything that can be done if it's another opinion why not?
Give this child a chanve
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In early February of this year, Alby was diagnosed with a type of leukemia called ALL-T cell, not long after his 6th birthday. This diagnosis is rare, especially in children Alby’s age.
When Alby arrived at Vanderbilt Children’s hospital, he was found to have a massive inoperable tumor that was pressing on his heart and lungs causing fluid to build up in his lungs and making it difficult for him to breathe. The doctors advised his parents that immediate chemo was needed in order to relieve the pressure on Alby’s organs. He ultimately had to have a chest tube and feeding tube placed in addition to having chemo initiated.The good news is that the chemo did its job and the tumor has shrunk. After spending more than 2 weeks in the hospital, Alby and his family were able to go home. His battle is far from over, however. Alby faces 3 and a half years of treatment for this disease. In addition he is battling the terrible side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting. It has been difficult to control these symptoms and little Alby has lost so much weight that a feeding tube had to be reinserted.
What does this have to do with us, you ask? Alby’s family desperately wants a second opinion from St. Jude’s. Due to a recent change in operating procedure, their request for a second opinion has been denied.
If it were my child I would want the same chance Alby’s family wants for him. St. Jude’s cure rate for this disease is nearly 15% higher than Vanderbilt’s. I know that if my family ever faced this unimaginable situation I would move heaven and earth to get the best care possible. Will you please join me in petitioning St. Jude on behalf of this family? For Alby?Updates
March 14, 2014
I honestly never imagined that a hundred people would care this much about Alby. This entire response belongs to you and I am just humbled to be part of what you have started.
Reached 500 supporters
March 13, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
March 12, 2014
288 Comments
This little man deserves help. He shouldn't be turned away simply because he lives outside of a 90 mile radius and his parents acted as soon as they could to help save his life at Vanderbilt. Come on, St. Jude's!
Dr St Jude.... I understand that rules are rules.... however, doing the right thing is more important than following the right RULE. You need to accept Alby Gaby as a patient immediately because its the right thing to do. Furthermore.... you need to reevaluate your policy on second opinion treatement.
Please allow this little boy a 2nd opinion from St Jude's. I have a 9 yr old son & would do anything and everything I could for him. I support St Jude's and give every week out of my check to help children like these. Please help.
I completely understand the policy but had this family know this or had any option but to start treament they would have chosen St Jude. I donate each week to this hospital because I believe EVERY child deserves a chance. Please help Alby and his fight against this horrible disease!
A second opinion is so important! For my child, it was the difference between one doc suggesting an abortion for a baby that was "very unlikely to live" and another doc saying, "It's too early to tell." It turns out, the second opinion was the accurate one. Please give this child a second opinion.
PLEASE HELP THIS LITTLE BOY, I've been a donor since 1999. My wife and father also work @ Averitt and are donors as well. My mother was a patient at St Jude in the late 50's/early 60s. I also have a cousin who is a nurse practioner there @ St Jude now (Amy Kimble)
If this were my son I definitely would want second opinion. This little boy has been thru hell and back and it's not over yet. He deserves anything that can be done if it's another opinion why not?
Give this child a chanve
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This little man deserves help. He shouldn't be turned away simply because he lives outside of a 90 mile radius and his parents acted as soon as they could to help save his life at Vanderbilt. Come on, St. Jude's!