Help Andrew raise money

DOMSTRONG

Never in a million years could I imagine fundraising on behalf of my child whom in the last year was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. 

Dominic, a very healthy and nonstop 2.5 year old boy has been in daycare since 6 months old, and other than a slight ear infection and a 24 hour bug last January, he was never sick.  Dominic ran around all summer, enjoying local parks and displayed awesome strength moving up and down trails and his favorite, climbing the rock wall at Moon Park.  After spiking a fever early Monday morning July 27th, we didn't think much of it as he was teething.  The fever continued to spike and linger that day, we grew more concerned but not too alarmed, yet.  He got checked out later that afternoon, and again on Wednesday July 29th, still no break in fever, and no progress in his condition.  We decided enough was enough Thursday morning July 30th and we took him down to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.  After a finger prick checking his CBC (complete blood count), we found out shortly thereafter his hemoglobin was very low and he needed a blood transfusion.  Over the next 24 hours and a bone marrow scan later, a parent's worst nightmare, our child had cancer.  There was hope it wasn't ALL due to conflicting signs and symptoms, but that sadly wasn't our fate.    

It's hard to put into words just where those moments can take you.  Every dark and vulnerable emotion one can imagine was forefront and center for my family and I.  Dominic thankfully went into remission 1 month later and the Dr's are very confident in his prognosis moving forward, and have been since Day 1.  We're forever thankful for the quick response and call to action from the Dr's, Nurses, and fellow staff at Children's Hospital.  You really can't fathom just how heroic those Dr's and Nurses are until you're standing front line with them.  So precise, so confident.  Incredible.

I myself have been a runner since my youth, and it's something Dominic and I have shared in some capacity since he was born.  I've taken him on longer training runs, we've raced 2 x 5k's pushing him in the stroller as well.  He knows nothing other than Daddy's running routine, and always says when I come back from a run, "Daddy, are you sweaty? You go running!"  While we were in the hospital from July 30th to August 11th, I ran everyday and every square inch through the Lawrenceville cemetery and my god, therapeutic is an understatement.   

If all goes to plan, Dominic will be in the long sought after Maintenance phase beginning this April, until god willing he rings his bell in October 2022.  

**All proceeds and donations will go to The Children’s Hospital Of Pittsburgh Foundation**

Thank you all for your help and acknowledgement to these brave young souls, it's the least we can do! 

Andrew Trbovich