GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., (March 20, 2014)– Just weeks after undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Bree Town is enjoying being back at home with her family in Greenville. The 10-year-old recently received the good news that she is leukemia-free.
FOX 17 first introduced you to Bree in June 2012 as she worked to pay it forward to other kids at DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, despite being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After seven months of chemotherapy, she learned she was in remission in December 2012.
Late last year, the Town family got the devastating news that Bree had relapsed and needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. Once testing revealed that no one in the family was a match, the Towns began a desperate search for a donor. “Be the Match” events held around the state helped bring in more than 600 new registered donors.
Just before Christmas, they received the best present they could ask for. A perfect match was located, and the 20-year-old man was willing to donate his stem cells to Bree. Although they do not know who he is, he has given Bree a second chance at life.
Bree underwent transplant surgery in early February. And after spending the holidays and several months in the hospital, she finally learned she was able to go home this week.
Jenny Town, Bree’s mother, told FOX 17 News that she is thankful for all who have joined the bone marrow registry and grateful for the anonymous donor.
She added that Bree is already back to work on service projects to benefit DeVos Children’s Hospital.
To learn more about Bree, or to follow her journey, head to the “We Bree-Lieve” Facebook page set up in her honor by clickinghere.
