Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Our son Brady Robnett was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on Christmas Eve, 2020. He started chemotherapy on December 31st which consisted of 3 days of intense chemotherapy followed by 3 weeks of recovery in the hospital.
Our oncologists asked us if we wanted to include Brady in a study for a drug that lowers the effect of chemo on the heart. We of course said yes. At the end of January 2021 he had a bone marrow biopsy and it was discovered (because of the extra testing that the research study provided) that Brady had what is called a high risk fusion. This meant he needed a bone marrow transplant. We later found out that the study was sponsored in part by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
Brady went through 3 rounds of chemotherapy. Each round was approximately 30 days in the hospital for a variety of reasons but the number one reason was because his immune system was “zapped” because of the chemotherapy killing off all of the leukemia cells but also his good cells.
Brady fought for his life on a daily basis. It was hard physically and mentally. We watched as his family and friends would drive to Little Rock and wave at him from the parking lot. Over time I watched as the combination of research, expert doctors, human will, faith, and love all came together to help Brady win his battle. A total stranger stepped up somewhere in the US who was willing to donate his matching bone marrow to help save Brady’s life. Brady received a Bone Marrow Transplant on May 28, which was also his 17th birthday! I can vividly remember Brady looking at the donor’s bag of marrow during the transplant procedure and saying, “The rest of my life is in that bag.”
Brady is currently in remission and “RANG THE BELL" on August 26th, 2021! We are praising God for healing Brady. And, there is no doubt that LLS played a huge part in his healing!
Brady is doing extremely well and has been back at school in person since January 2022. He’s doing so well that he played on the Conway High baseball team this spring, starting at 3rd base for the Junior Varsity and hitting his first home run! Also, Conway High School won the State Championship!
My wife Rhonda and I have been beyond blessed and had an amazing support system. So many people loved on our family and took so much of the burden off of our shoulders.
Sadly, there are so many that can’t make ends meet and don’t have the support of family and friends that is needed. We have heard so many stories about parents not being able to be there because of work, or not being able to pay for gas to get their children to the hospital to get their child the treatment they need. LLS supports them too! The last thing they need is to be worried about those things when their child has cancer.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an amazing conduit to assist those families financially and also give them the support that they need. LLS gave over $2.6 million dollars to families in Arkansas in 2021 alone!
We have been witness to the advances in blood cancer research. Ten years ago the doctors would not have even known about Brady‘s specific gene fusion. Ten years ago he’d have gone through chemo, declared in remission, and would have a high risk of relapse.
Only then would he have received a bone marrow transplant. Without the money spent on research Brady’s story would’ve played out differently.
This leads us to why we started Brady’s Battle. This is our conduit towards funding the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS has been the leader in making a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families for years. We decided we would forever be a part of the LLS family and we invite you to join us in helping raise awareness and just as importantly to help families in need!
