RubyWarriorPrincess Fights Leukemia

Ruby Grace, light of lights, you make this world infinitely more bright!  As many of you know, our dear friends daughter, Ruby Grace McCauley , was diagnosed last November with B-cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). For the last year, her family, Gayle, Dan and brother Benjamin (along with a bevy of the most amazing grandparents, uncles, aunts, and dogs), took on the most difficult challenge any family can face. We watched them do this with grace, heart, fierceness, determination and that deep well of love that comes when you are helping your child fight Leukemia. They went through every heart ache and sorrow, they also created a space for happiness and light – making Ruby’s fight a fierce, and even unbelievably, joyous one.  Every accomplishment celebrated, every moment treasured.  This family is truly one of the best – hearts of gold, each and every one.  They included their family and friends, counted on so many to help them through almost 365 days of struggle.  They could not have gone through this year without all of you helping in your own unique and beautiful ways.  As of a week ago, Ruby was at the end of her first year – shining bright, back to school, her new hair coming in, running and giggling with her friends again.  Gayle and Dan thought they could take a breath, and then, the unthinkable happened.  In one night, Ruby’s pain came back, she spiked a fever, and they drove back to UCSF.

They got the heartbreaking news that the Leukemia was back...this last week they have been in complete shock, numb, terrified, and heartbroken.  Ruby had seemed to rock every single scan, was on fire, and yet, the Leukemia has returned.  This time, because of the Leukemia returning so suddenly and quickly, the fight will be even more intense.  First, this moves Ruby into a higher risk category.  They will have unimaginable hurdles, including higher doses of chemotherapy to get Ruby into remission again, higher resolution testing and ground breaking immunotherapy, which has only been on the market for the last two years.  It is unknown how long this will take to bring her Leukemia cells to zero.  At that point, she will need a bone marrow and/or stem cell transplant (and DONOR MATCH! ), which requires another 6-week hospitalization.   She will then have to be in an isolated, sterile home environment for at least the next 6 months. All of this is to say, they need massive financial help as many of these costs are extraordinary and unforeseeable, as groundbreaking new treatments and extensive care.  

Gayle and Dan are going to need so much support. This feels harder than before. They are gutted and are still in the process of absorbing the news and what will come next.  For now, if you have a child who knows Ruby, please tell your children that Ruby’s pain in her leg came back so the doctors decided to change her treatment.  She has overcome being the “sick” child, which was very difficult for her.  Many people are reaching out to see how they can help – truly the biggest way right now is financial.  Each nugget of gold is received as love and will support our Warrior Princess Ruby!  As I said before, this is going to be long winding, extremely difficult, hopefully magical & mysterious path and journey for the family, and for all of us in their community that are committed to supporting them.  Let’s remind them that we’re all in it for the long haul, day by day with Ruby and her family.  Let’s shower them with our love in the form of financial support, in hopes of making this journey a little more bearable.  Every little bit makes a difference….the power of a village is unparalleled!  SHARE, SHARE, SHARE this story….they need it all!

In gratitude and love,
Jenny and all Ruby's Warrior Tribe

For those of you who want to stay up-to-date on Ruby’s progress, Gayle has created a FB page, Ruby the Warrior Princess,  where she writes beautifully, if not heartbreakingly, about this process.  Her love and unstoppable advocacy for her daughter is profound, deep, palpable and heart-moving.

Bone Marrow Match  - we will also set up a drive for this but Ruby needs a match!  Her family will be tested first, but please feel free to get tested now!  Also, this can help another child who may be in a similar circumstance.