Kristin 1970-2000

Kristin's story is all too familiar. The diagnosis is quick, the treatment toxic, and the outcome fatal. Kristin was beautiful, full of life and energy, a scholastic athlete. She dedicated her life to working with students with special needs. this desease took her energy, her ability to work, and eventually took her life but never her faith and hope.

Life changed instantly for Kristin on January 6, 1999. Whe was directing a program for children with autism at McClean Hospital, became engaged to the love of her life, Patrick, purchased a new home and was in the throes of wedding plans. she thought her fatigue was related to her lengthy workday and recent flurry of excitement of these major life events. Kristin was wrong. A blood test indicated full-blown AML, a deadly form of leukeimia.

Kristin approached her diagnosis and treatment with the courage and determination of an Olympic athlete. She picked up her mighty torch and ran with it. Dr. Richard Stone at Dana-Farber assembled the best medical team on planet Earth to wage this heinous battle. Kristin’s level of integrity defied description. As her body was pummeled with toxic treatments, she coached her doctors and nurses through battle. Hope was never relinquished and the white flag never flown.

This all-scholastic athlete prepared for each difficult treatment as she prepared for every game she captained. Treatments, setbacks, high hopes, disappointments, prayers answered and unanswered became the backdrop of the battlefield. She believed you win some, you lose some, and you prepare for the next battle. You never give up.

This tiny one with the big blue eyes lost her hair, ruddy complexion, her muscle tone but never her spirit. Her spirit helped her carry her mighty torch through seven months of hospitalizations, gallons of chemotherapy treatments, remission, marriage, relapse, full body radiation and bone marrow transplant.

The monster cancer she fought won the big game just days before her first wedding anniversary.