Julia Cosgrave started spiking a fever one February day… a fever that wouldn’t go away. Her parents took her to the doctor four times in 11 days, and with each visit came another diagnosis. Finally, blood work revealed this 2-year-old had a low iron level in addition to low white blood cell and platelet counts. On February 20, 2003, Julia’s doctor confirmed that she had leukemia.

For almost a month, Julia and her parents were in and out of the hospital while she received treatment to battle the disease. Those treatments, which continue today, include chemotherapy and multiple transfusions of platelets and red cells. “She’s done remarkably well,” says Julia’s mother, Karen. “She’s had very few side effects, thank God. She’s just a little tired, and lost her hair. Outside of that, you probably wouldn’t know she’s sick. She’s a bundle of energy.”

Julia turns three this week, and happily, Karen and her husband John, a Corrections Officer for the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, report that she’s in remission. “We’ve had a tremendous show of support from family, friends and even strangers,” says Karen. “What has meant the most to us throughout this terrible ordeal is that all these people are rallying around us and doing whatever they can to help, including raising the awareness about the need for blood for Julia and other children like her.”

The Cosgrave family is hoping that by sharing their story, they can help lessen the burden for another family in a similar situation. Karen wants to remind people that donating blood makes a huge difference in the lives of those going through treatment to battle leukemia, and to the circle of family and friends surrounding these kids. “We’ve always been lucky. But with the outpouring of support we’ve received since Julia’s diagnosis, now we know we are truly blessed.”

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