As a competitive gymnast, 14-year-old Amy was a healthy, athletic teenager. When she started experiencing severe back pain, though, Amy and her family realized that something was wrong.

“I also started experiencing random viral illnesses,” said Amy. “We ended up going to a rheumatologist to try to figure out what was wrong.”

It wasn’t until she went to Advocate Children’s Hospital for blood work, however, that a concrete diagnosis was made — she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Treatment begins and her teenage life changes

Amy was in the middle of 8th grade when she received the diagnosis and began a two-and-a-half-year treatment protocol. The chemotherapy sessions were long and arduous, but she was a fighter. It also helped that the community rallied around her and her family, showing them that they were not alone in this battle, and that they had the support of friends and neighbors.

At the time Amy was diagnosed, ALL had a 75% cure rate. Today, thanks to research and new treatment options, the same disease has a 90% cure rate.

“The protocols have changed drastically,” said Amy. “Research is so important.”

Amy’s ALL was considered in remission early in the treatment process; however, she still had to complete the entire two-and-a-half-year protocol to ensure the cancer was less likely to return.

Once the treatment was complete, Amy took the next steps towards her future. She went on to finish her education and plan for her career as a registered nurse.

Pursuing a medical career to help children in the fight against cancer

“Becoming a pediatric oncology nurse was an easy decision,” said Amy. “It allowed me to use my experience as a childhood leukemia survivor to encourage patients and let them know they’re not alone – that there is hope. I felt that I was meant to come back and tell them this disease can be beaten,” she said. “They can go on to have a normal, wonderful life.”

Amy and her daughters (above) know first-hand that we are stronger together, and working together we can cure leukemia. And considering her medical history as a pediatric ALL patient, along with her medical expertise as a nurse, Amy knows how vital research is for finding that cure.

“In addition, it is also important to continue to explore less intense treatment methods,” she added. “I hope that chemotherapy won’t ever have to exist in the future.”

Today, there is a relatively new treatment method for certain cancer patients called blinatumomab. During this immunotherapy treatment, the patient wears a special backpack that’s filled with cancer treatment medications for 28 days. This targeted therapy is used prior to chemotherapy and has shown positive results.

“The more research that takes place for leukemia, the less chemotherapy and other treatments patients will ultimately have to endure,” said Amy.

In her role as assistant clinical manager of the pediatric oncology unit at Advocate Children’s Hospital, Amy manages the unit while still being able to care for the patients who are so special to her.

“Our unit is one big family, and I’m so fortunate to work with such great people,” said Amy.

“We let our patients and their families know how important they are to us. I tell all of my patients they’re going to be so proud of themselves when they come out of this,” said Amy. “I always want to make it a happy place here, where there’s hope.”