Patient Stories

Let me tell you about my granddaughter, Elizabeth. She was only 23 months old when she was first diagnosed with leukemia. At that age, she was far too young to understand what was happening, but we, her family, understood all too well. We entered a world we never imagined — hospital rooms, endless tests, medications, and the fear of the unknown. Elizabeth began treatment right away, but it wasn’t easy. Just eight days into chemotherapy, she developed a serious fungal infection on her arm. The doctors worked tirelessly to keep her safe, and by God’s grace, she pushed through. For a time, we thought we were through the worst. But when Elizabeth was five years old, just five months off treatment, she relapsed — this time into her central nervous system. I’ll never forget the moment she grabbed her head in pain, tears streaming down her face, and said, “Grandma, I can’t see. Something is strange.” That was when we learned the cancer had returned in her brain. Elizabeth endured radiation, a bone marrow transplant, and years of physical and occupational therapy. The road was long, and there were many setbacks. The treatments saved her life, but they also left [...]

When Elias Jones began getting sick over and over again in early 2023, his parents, Abigail and Elisha, never imagined the journey that lay ahead. At just 15 months old, Elias’s pediatrician noticed alarming lab results, a significantly elevated white blood cell count. They were immediately referred to Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH), where further evaluation revealed a large mass in Elias’s liver. The family was transferred from the Woodlands campus to the TCH Medical Center location, where they met with a team of specialists who ruled out cancer but were concerned by the size of the mass. After extensive genetic testing, Elias was diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a rare, inherited immune disorder. A bone marrow transplant (BMT) was his only option for long-term survival. “Elisha didn’t want to accept it at first,” Abigail shared. “He started researching other possible ways to help Elias. But eventually, we had to face that this was the only path forward.” Soon after Elias’s diagnosis, Abigail underwent genetic testing and discovered she was a carrier of CGD. Around the same time, she also found out she was pregnant with their second son, Everett. He was born four weeks early and tested positive for [...]

When Ezra was just three months old, Carolina and David McMurphy noticed a large, fast-growing lump on the side of his neck. What they thought might be a simple infection turned out to be the start of a much more serious journey. That lump ruptured before they could even get to an ENT, and it became the beginning of Ezra’s diagnosis with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a rare, inherited immune disorder. “We had no idea what we were dealing with at first,” Carolina shared. “Tests were run, samples taken, but we had no answers. I thought maybe it was a one-time issue.” But by the time Ezra was just four months old, the infections returned, fast, painful, and aggressive. A third infection, in August 2022, was the worst yet. Ezra had trouble sleeping, fevers, and intense pain. “I’ll never forget that one,” said Carolina. “When we finally got to the hospital and had it drained, I felt such a sense of relief, and so did Ezra. Even with a bandage on his neck, he went back to smiling and giggling.” Doctors told Carolina that a bone marrow transplant (BMT) was Ezra’s best chance at survival. “At first, I didn’t know [...]

From the moment Fatima was born, her life was marked by both mystery and miracle. The youngest of two daughters, she entered the world with visible differences like smaller hands, missing thumbs, and heart problems that would soon lead her family on a long and winding journey through doctor visits, tests, and unanswered questions. Her mother, Marina, remembers it all vividly. “Right after she was born, the doctors knew something wasn’t right. We started seeing specialists. Cardiologists, geneticists, so many. Everyone tried to understand what was happening inside her little body.” By age four, in hopes of helping Fatima through a possible bone marrow transplant, Marina and her husband considered having another child. It was during this time that doctors finally put a name to her condition: Fanconi Anemia with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of anemia that causes bone marrow failure and leads to dangerous tumors in the head and neck. They were told that many children with her condition do not live long. But Fatima defied those odds, growing, thriving, and pushing forward with courage. She was eleven when she began care at Texas Children’s Hospital. Over time, her condition stabilized, until it did not. In 2024, her [...]

His Story As told by his Dad - Tommy Fritz Today, we met His Grace Foundation on the 8th floor after you gifted Jacob a new “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” stuffed animal and book. I just wanted to say thank you to you and your foundation for giving meals and gifts to my son, Jacob and I while we’ve been here.  Jacob is 18 months old and he has been an in-patient at Texas Children’s Hospital since Christmas Eve. Now, as of a couple weeks ago he officially engrafted with his new bone marrow transplant!  We’re actually from Oklahoma so my wife and kids do not visit very often due to the distance and the threat of sickness. You guys have really impressed us with your generosity and kindness!  So, thank you!  Truly from the bottom of our hearts! - The Fritz Family  

Christian graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio this May — though "from" may not be the perfect word since Christian, like thousands of others, officially graduated at home, his ceremony canceled in the wake of the novel coronavirus. This wasn’t the first disruption in Christian's academic career. Just this past fall, Christian’s dear classmate and roommate, Eric Naranjo, died in a plane crash, leaving behind a devastated group of friends and a spare room in the apartment. "We just...left it empty,” Christian said. These alone — a senior year and graduation drastically altered by COVID-19, and the loss of a beloved friend — seem like quite enough for a just-now-adult to have weathered. But Christian got to know disruption and loss much earlier than life. In the sixth grade, he was diagnosed with stage four anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Christian was in and out of the hospital on repeat that year. He had to be pulled out of school and work with a tutor during the weeks he was home in between rounds of inpatient treatment. His body took a long time to react positively to the treatment, but it finally did. By eighth grade, Christian [...]

Spencer brought a new meaning to Spiderman’s saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ last week. As one of the oldest patient on the unit, he wanted to bring a smile to his fellow BMT patients so, as he prepared to leave the unit and head home, Spencer dressed up as Spiderman and brightened the days of the BMT patients still in the hospital. Spencer, thank you for letting HGF be a part of your remarkable display of power, responsibility, and love. We were honored to provide you with balloons and Spiderman goodies to pass out to patients as you left. Congratulations on your discharge!

“You need to go straight to the Emergency Room.” Judi Peters’ head was spinning. The ER? There has to be a mistake. She’d only brought her 10-year-old son, Nick, to the pediatrician for a quick visit. He’d seemed a bit “off” – falling asleep in the car on the way home from school, unable to accomplish in P.E. what had always come easily. But the Emergency Room? Surely, this is just growing pains? “I have to pick up my daughter from gymnastics.” Judi’s brain was trying to catch up. This was just any other day. She couldn’t possibly need to take her son to the hospital. Minutes later she found herself en route to the hospital. Teams there were already preparing for Nick’s arrival. His hemoglobin levels were dangerously low at the pediatrician’s office and by the time he checked in at the ER they had dropped even more. He was admitted right away. After a few days of testing the worst was confirmed. Nick was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment on October 3, 2009. The years that followed were tumultuous. After completing nearly four years of treatment, Nick relapsed. He’d been at his oncologist just two weeks [...]

As the His Grace Foundation staff prepares for Valentine’s Day celebrations on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit — ordering heart-shaped chocolates and packaging festive goodie bags — we’re reminded of Ziggy, whose impact continues to spread love. – Philandis Stovall remembers her son Ziggy eagerly unwrapping the gigantic welcome basket that greeted him upon arrival to the BMTU in July 2017. “[The HGF volunteers] fell in love with Ziggy immediately. I remember that day well. I took pictures of him with his basket and posted them right away,” she recalls. Ziggy was thrilled to see his personal favorites — legos, cars and all-things the color red — included in his basket. All items that HGF had ensured were included after receiving his list of interests. Val Anderson, HGF’s Support Services Director, remembers his incredible manners. “He was just truly grateful,” she says. It’s things like the distraction of a new toy or the warm meal reminiscent of home that HGF is so pleased to provide each and every patient and family that walks through the BMTU. “His Grace Foundation is there to be a support system in the flesh,” says Philandis. And it was that support that gave Philandis [...]

Unlike most 18-year-olds who are busy thinking about their college experience and dreaming of job opportunities, Briana Donis found herself grappling with a Severe Aplastic Anemia diagnosis. Here we share Briana’s reflections on her two year medical journey, two bone marrow transplants (one failed), and how she was encouraged by the “soul level” help that His Grace Foundation provided. Briana’s first memory, like most BMTU patients, is of the shopping His Grace Foundation provided. A practical, needed opportunity for us to satisfy cravings, bring a smile, or refill a necessity as simple as toothpaste. “I remember thinking ‘I can put anything on this list?’” Briana recalled. “I just couldn’t believe it. I asked for fruit roll-ups and socks.” While Briana’s wishlists were being fulfilled and providing a bright spot on dark days, she was also grateful for the sense of togetherness and understanding that the BMTU offered. “Everyone you come across, they just understand the situation you’re in and how difficult it is not only for you, but for your family.” Having that sense of community when she learned that her first bone marrow transplant had failed was vital. “The hardest thing was accepting. Accepting my situation and what [...]