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This is Ray's Story
In the fall of 2003 Ray was playing soccer and his legs started to hurt. Ray went to the doctor, we were told that Ray was okay, he was just going through growing pains. However, the pains did not get better, they got worse. Christmas time came and it was spent at Disney World, where Ray could not walk enough to get through one day. Ray was continuing to worsen although he was taken to the doctor over 15 times in a few months. His abdomen was grossly enlarged, he was running high fevers on a continual basis and was bruising more than normal for a little boy. He seemed to be fatigued and pale. We had enough and finally turned to the Children's hospital. On January 14, 2004 Ray went to the ER at Riley Hospital for Children, in Indianapolis, Indiana. This was a day we all will remember. Ray was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). On January 16, 2004 he received his port and his 1st dose of chemotherapy. His legs soon started to feel better and he started to improve overall. The leukemia was put into remission with in the first 5 weeks. The standard is typically 4 weeks to be in remission, but we were happy that there was remission nonetheless, We soon learned that the treatment for ALL would be more than 3 years, this seemed like such a long time. In March of 2004 Ray had a fever and became very ill. His blood counts were very low. Tests were done to rule things out, however, with no white cells, there was only a slim chance that the tests would comeback conclusive. At the end of 3 weeks in the hospital and after many procedures to clear the infections in his leg and in his lungs, he was diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This was finally the answer that we needed. It was not great that he had this virus, but it was great that it was treatable. Ray started to take some medication for this virus and was well on his way to recovery. This is a normal cold virus, many people have had it. It is dangerous to immune suppressed people and fetuses. Ray was able to start kindergarten, as scheduled. He loved his school and his teachers. He progressed and did extremely well in his new loving environment. However, in early February Ray's cancer returned and he needed to have a bone marrow transplant. This was his only chance for survival. This is when the fundraising came into play. We started getting information about funds and fundraising ideas. Most of the family took on their own projects. But, we all had one common goal; to give us the financial ability to be with Ray and make sure that the mounting medical bills were paid and some of the missed wages replaced. This was accomplished, with lots of thanks from our friends and family. Ray had his transplant on June 21, 2005. Before he could receive the stem cells he had 3 intense blocks of chemotherapy and 5 days of total body radiation. This was all to eradicate the old immune system and marrow and bring in the new cells. There were bumps along the way, but Ray was a champ through it all. He finally came home on August 12, 2005, after nine long weeks in-patient. He continued to recoup at home, with all the main transplant restrictions. We were not allowed to take him out, except to Riley for check ups, and no outside food, only home cooked meals allowed. It was a big adjustment. On day +112 the cancer once again returned. The cancer and his old immune system was raging back and vying for control of his body. Therefore most of the restrictions were lifted and Ray was able to go on his Wish Trip to Disney and this time he enjoyed it completely. It was truly a magical experience. He was in good spirits and kept us going the entire time. When he returned home Ray started a new round of chemotherapy and was able to do this for 4 1/2 months. In March of 2006 the cancer wreaked havoc once again. Ray was able to start a new experimental drug and it provided some quality of
life for his last month and a half. Ray was
This story does not begin to describe the character or spirit of Ray. He was an amazing boy. He wanted everyone to know that he believes in Jesus and He is our savior. Ray was not afraid to pray for others or to talk about having faith. In his short 7 years Ray shared God's love with many. This Ray of Light is the motivation for Ray's Sunshine Foundation. He is a Ray of Sunshine. During Ray's battle and after, we have learned and know of too many families that have also lost their sweet children. We cannot afford to think "it wont happen to me" - because, it can. We are all normal families, there is nothing that separates us; not class, race, education, nothing, we all are no different. Please help us in our fight save our greatest resource, our children. This picture was drawn by Ray while in clinic awaiting his chemotherapy treatment. This is his vision of Ray's Sunshine Foundation. A Child at home, outside playing in the sun.
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hospitalized with a severe
respiratory problem on April 24, 2006. He passed away at 10:15 am on April
29, 2006. Ray's last moments were peaceful and spent with family and close
friends.