Meet ASK kid Skylar

Leroy Reed is an adult survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a diagnosis typically reserved for children.  When his newborn baby, Skylar, began running a fever which spiked to 103.7, he knew from experience that something was wrong.
 
“We spent three days in another hospital’s pediatric ICU before we were transferred to VCU Health System.  My wife, Traci, was completely overwhelmed.  Having a cancer diagnosis for your child is a parent’s worst nightmare, but I knew once we were at VCU, everything would be OK” recalled Leroy.
 
At six weeks of age, Skylar was diagnosed with HLH, rare immune disease, in which the immune system no longer works properly by producing too many antibodies.  In Skylar’s case, her body didn’t have an infection to fight, so her body started attacking itself. Leroy and Traci were told that no genetic link exists to Leroy’s previous cancer.
 
Skylar started chemo the day she arrived at VCU, which lasted four months until she had her first bone marrow transplant, bone marrow donated by a stranger.  “We’ve been told Skylar’s donor is a 35-year old man who didn’t hesitate when given the chance to save our daughter.  He’s our hero, and he gave enough marrow to last Skylar a lifetime, if she needs it,” chokes Leroy. 

She did need it, having her second bone marrow transplant one year later. “Her engraphment started to decline, so we elected to have a second transplant,” explained Traci.  “We wanted to be proactive this time, rather than reactive.”

After a second round of stronger chemotherapy, Skylar’s health is on the upswing.  She still visits the ASK clinic twice per week and takes “medicine” each night at home, but now she helps administer the medicine by handing her parents the necessary equipment and pushing the syringe herself.  

“She’s so resilient.  She loves to imitate Beyonce, playing peek-a-boo and hanging with her big sister, Elana.  And Elena is the best big sister ever,” gush Leroy and Traci.  “Elana can calm Sky, when nothing else works.  We would FaceTime Elana from the hospital and she would say ‘it’s OK, Sky.  Big sister is here,’ and Skylar would be fine.  They have a beautiful bond.” 

ASK kid Skylar is lovingly embraced by her sister Elana during the Kourageous Kids photo shoot, July 2019.

The Reed family shares a bond with the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, as well. 

​“All of the ASK staff and care partners are amazing.  Whenever I think of them, I cry,” say Leroy.  “They’ve been with us from the moment we entered the hospital, through chemo treatments and lengthy hospital stays, and sat with us during both transplants.  ASK has helped us financially by paying our mortgage and electric bill, provided gas cards and meal vouchers for the many days we’ve spent at the hospital, and delivered Christmas gifts to our home for both of the girls when Skylar was too sick to go to the holiday party.  After they left, we sat in the middle of the floor and cried like babies.  Tears of gratefulness, for sure.”

The family cheers on Skylar as she's recognized at the Kourageous Kids party, September 2019.

“And the ASK chaplain, had the ability to show up just when we needed him most,” continues Traci.  “I would see him coming and I knew everything was going to be alright.”  ASK financially supports the chaplain position, as well as a child psychologist and child life specialist in the clinic at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.  “We are forever changed because of the kindness we’ve experienced.”